Amaju Pinnick, Deputy Chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competition Committee, has strongly defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.
In an interview on Arise TV, Pinnick revealed that under the proposal, FIFA would sell minority stakes in a new for-profit commercial subsidiary to external investors, with each member association — including the Nigeria Football Association — expected to benefit with $20 million.
Pinnick argued that as FIFA President, Infantino has the right to propose changes, and it is up to stakeholders to accept or reject them. He praised the President’s wide consultation process on the matter.
“One of the major characteristics of the FIFA President is his ability to consult widely, and he is doing so with the FFE Proposal,” Pinnick stated.
He urged stakeholders to celebrate the proposal, describing it as a significant opportunity coming after the most successful World Cup in history.
The former Nigeria FA President emphasised that the beneficiaries of the proposal would still be the member associations, including those from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and across the globe.
The FFE proposal has been met with strong opposition from UEFA and its 55 member associations, who have threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if the plan proceeds, citing concerns over private investors gaining ownership stakes in the World Cup and other competitions.
Pinnick’s support for the proposal highlights a growing divide between FIFA leadership and European football authorities on the future direction of the game’s governance and commercial structure.
As discussions continue, the proposal remains one of the most contentious issues in global football today.
