Following a crisis meeting that he convened, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has addressed the widely criticized initiative to sell shares in the World Cup, a proposal he had previously abandoned after facing significant backlash.

In a letter released by FIFA on Wednesday night and co-signed by Secretary General Mattias Grafström, the organization acknowledged, “We acknowledge that mistakes were also made after the plan was leaked to the media.”

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This marks Infantino’s first public apology since details about the contentious proposal emerged, which aimed to allow private investors to purchase stakes in football’s premier tournament.

“We sincerely apologize for these mistakes and commit to ensuring that they will not happen again,” the letter adds.

A thorough review of the situation is planned, with the findings set to be presented to the FIFA Council at its upcoming meeting.

Questions remain regarding whether Infantino’s role will undergo scrutiny, and if this could impact his position. However, internal support appears steadfast, as the letter reassured that Grafström and FIFA leadership stand behind Infantino amid heavy criticism in recent weeks.

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Reports from ‘Sky News’ suggest that Infantino is regaining his composure; the two signatories of the letter were seen together at a stadium on Thursday night, attending the Women’s Africa Cup match between Malawi and Zambia.