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The Asian Football Confederation president issued the remarks in a statement published on the AFC website and reported by the Qatar News Agency, praising the solidarity of member associations that had tasked the body with seeking clarifications on the contentious initiative. According to the statement Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa expressed pride in how all member associations stood together on an issue of immense importance to the future governance of world football. He thanked them for their patience and unity while assuring them that the AFC would always act in their best interests.
A FIFA media release issued on July 28 had outlined the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal as a new subsidiary that would consolidate commercial and operational event delivery activities under permanent FIFA ownership and control. The governing body’s clarifications indicated that the plan would generate additional revenues enabling each of 211 member associations to receive 20 million dollars in development funding over the 2027-2030 period irrespective of individual participation. FIFA figures showed the initiative could expand overall football development funding to more than 10 billion dollars subject to member association approval and included an optional fast forward programme financed through external investment.
Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said any future initiatives capable of impacting global football must be presented and discussed with confederations, the FIFA Council, member associations and other stakeholders in a timely, transparent and meaningful manner. “I am proud that all our MAs stood together and entrusted the AFC to seek answers on their behalf regarding an issue of immense importance to the future governance of world football,” he stated. “I thank them for their patience, solidarity and unity, and assure them that AFC will always act in their best interests.”
The AFC president added that the future of global football must always be shaped through proper consultation, collective dialogue and respect for established governance structures. “The AFC stands ready to support any initiative that strengthens the unity of the football family, contributes to the continued growth of the game globally and delivers meaningful benefits to all stakeholders,” Shaikh Salman pointed out in the statement carried by the Qatar News Agency. The withdrawal followed consultations that a Sporty FM Ghana report said had revealed the proposal was causing divisions within the football community.
FIFA’s July clarifications had emphasised that the Forward Enterprise plan was designed to ensure all member associations could take meaningful ownership of commercial opportunities generated by its competitions. According to those FIFA details the commercial value created would be shared among all associations to support investments in their respective countries without ceding overall control. The AFC coordinated the response from its 47 member associations which maintained a unified position throughout the brief period between the proposal announcement and its withdrawal.
The episode marks the latest instance of confederations engaging directly with FIFA on governance matters that affect the distribution of revenues from flagship events such as the World Cup. No specific alternative mechanisms for boosting development funding were detailed in the AFC statement released on Saturday. Shaikh Salman reiterated the confederation’s readiness to back initiatives that promote unity and equitable growth across the international football landscape.
