Mattias Grafstrom tells FIFA staff ‘individuals come and go’ in wake of ‘turmoil’ of Gianni Infantino plan

Key Points:

• FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom addressed staff amid mounting pressure on president Gianni Infantino following the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan, describing the episode as “sad and reproachable” but emphasizing the organization’s ongoing mission.
• Grafstrom assured FIFA employees they would be protected from the political fallout and urged professionalism and composure despite the turmoil caused by the failed project, which he was reportedly unaware of before its exposure.
• FIFA COO Kevin Lamour criticized the FFE plan as the work of a single individual and said staff felt “deceived,” while senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned in opposition to the scheme.
• Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, condemned the FFE proposal and supported its withdrawal, stressing the need for transparency and integrity within FIFA.
• UEFA has called for Infantino’s resignation due to loss of confidence, and several football associations, including England’s and Wales’, have withdrawn their support for his upcoming re-election bid.