FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologized Thursday for mistakes surrounding a withdrawn plan to sell a stake in a new commercial venture tied to World Cup business. The proposal reportedly sought $4.2 billion. European delegates asked for details and said they did not receive satisfactory answers.

This is elite sports governance in its purest form: apologize for the way the secret plan was communicated, permanently withdraw the secret plan, and keep enough of the secret that everyone must admire the apology on faith.

FIFA’s official statement says the project will not return “in any form” and promises a working group on governance reform. It also highlights a plan to increase football-development investment to $6.35 billion. That may be worthwhile. It is also a classic boardroom maneuver: place a very large number next to the unanswered questions and hope the questions feel underdressed.

Council members also wanted clarity about Donald Trump’s reported intervention in a World Cup red-card case. AP says they did not get it.

FIFA calls for unity. Critics are asking for documents. Somewhere in Zurich, a communications consultant is explaining that these are basically the same thing if you dim the lights.