The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced plans to assess FIFA’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative, a commercial investment plan designed to generate billions of dollars to support football development worldwide.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAF said it had received official communication from FIFA as part of an ongoing consultation involving FIFA Member Associations and the FIFA Council.

The continental football body disclosed that CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will convene a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee next week to consider the proposal and determine the organisation’s position.

“The Confederation Africaine de Football (“CAF”) received correspondence today from FIFA on the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, in accordance with the consultation process that is currently underway with FIFA Member Associations and the FIFA Council.

“As part of this consultation process, the CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will host a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee next week, to inter-alia, assess and evaluate the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.”

CAF also urged its 54 Member Associations to carefully examine the proposal and actively participate in the consultation process in line with FIFA and CAF regulations.

“CAF also encourages its Member Associations to examine the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and participate in the consultation process in accordance with CAF and FIFA’s regulations and established procedures.”

The proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise has sparked debate within the global football community over plans to establish a new commercial entity that would oversee FIFA’s commercial and event-related operations.

According to reports, FIFA intends to raise about $4.2 billion by selling minority, non-controlling interests in the enterprise, with the objective of increasing football development funding to more than $10 billion.

The proposal has attracted additional scrutiny following reports that some investors and advisers linked to the initiative have political connections to United States President Donald Trump.

Among those reportedly associated with the investment plan is Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Although several individuals connected to the proposal have ties to Trump, the US President has not been identified as an investor.

Concerns have also emerged over suggestions that the new commercial structure could eventually involve the sale of commercial interests tied to FIFA’s flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

The proposal has already faced opposition from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), which criticised FIFA for allegedly failing to consult key stakeholders before details of the initiative became public.

“Concacaf was only made aware of this matter through media reports and, subsequently, via a media release.

“We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process. We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place.”

Concacaf maintained that decisions affecting the future of football should be guided by transparency, sound governance and broad consultation.

“Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship.”

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) also voiced strong reservations, warning that football’s governance should not become a commercial commodity.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.

“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade, especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”

Despite the controversy, CAF reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with FIFA, other continental confederations and its Member Associations to strengthen football development across Africa and globally.

“CAF is committed to continue consulting and working together with its Member Associations, FIFA, other Football Confederations and stakeholders in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide.”

The outcome of next week’s CAF Executive Committee meeting is expected to shape Africa’s response to FIFA’s proposed commercial initiative.