FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologized to the FIFA Council on Thursday for a proposal to transfer part of the governing body's commercial rights to a private investment firm, according to BBC Sport.

But a FIFA vice president said he must release all related documents and answer key questions to remain fit to lead the organization.

The FIFA Council met in Zurich for the first time since details emerged of Infantino's secret FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which was abandoned within days.

A portion of FIFA's commercial rights would have been transferred to a private investment firm, under the plan.

The three-and-a-half-hour meeting also addressed the suspended red-card ban of US striker Folarin Balogun during a World Cup match, FIFA's Peace Prize and funding for national associations, BBC Sport reported.

Infantino later released a video about the proceedings, stating that he “apologized for the mistakes that we made in relation to the communication and consultation process related to the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, which then led to many consequences.”

”But what is important to remember is that it was a proposal, so we in no way a done deal, just a proposal. Its intention was merely to create more success stories like the ones that inspired people around the world during the FIFA World Cup 2026, because football is for everyone,” he added​​​​​​​

English Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, a FIFA vice president, said many questions remained unanswered despite the "most robust, most frank, most open Council meeting" she had experienced.

"One of the disappointing things is that we didn't get answers to anything that we had specifically requested - for example getting the papers from FFE," said Hewitt.

She said she repeatedly requested the documents and was asked to submit her questions in writing.

"I think the man has to answer those questions and if he doesn't answer those questions now, he's not fit to be FIFA president," said Hewitt, adding that the view was shared during the meeting.

Hewitt said the responses to questions surrounding FFE, the Balogun case and the Peace Prize would determine whether Infantino was the right candidate to lead FIFA.

She acknowledged that Infantino had shown "some contrition" in his apology but said the main issue was that he had not brought the FFE proposal to the council.

"What he really apologised for was not bringing it to the council," said Hewitt. "If you regret it that deeply, share it with us." (AA)