The meeting participants discussed the situation related to the already definitively canceled “FIFA Forward Enterprise” project, which considered the possibility of transferring some interests related to the FIFA World Cup to external investors.
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UEFA representatives called for an independent external evaluation of this project, granting access to all related documents, communications, and decision-making materials. They also emphasized the need to ensure clear limits on the FIFA president’s powers and governance of the organization based on institutional decisions rather than the influence of a single person.
FIFA confirmed in writing to UEFA that the “FIFA Forward Enterprise” project is irrevocably and permanently terminated and will not be resumed under any other form or name.
Having received FIFA confirmations and consulted with national associations, UEFA has preliminarily suspended the procedure for European teams to withdraw from the upcoming season’s FIFA competitions.
This means that European teams will be able to participate in the FIFA U20 Women’s, U17 Men’s, and U17 Women’s World Cups. UEFA also noted that the situation will continue to be constantly evaluated.
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LFF president Edgaras Stankevičius states that the current situation should become a stimulus for fundamental changes in FIFA governance.
“The Lithuanian Football Federation supports the common UEFA position. It is important to us that the governance of world football is transparent, responsible, and based on the interests of all national associations and mutual trust,” said E. Stankevičius, who also participated in the meeting.
The LFF agrees with UEFA’s stance that FIFA competitions, the organization’s governance, and funds allocated for the development of world football cannot be commercialized or used to strengthen personal and political influence.
FIFA must operate as an institution serving all national associations, whose decisions are based on transparent, objective, and equally applied rules for everyone.
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You can find the official UEFA statement here.
