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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent review of the governing body’s structure amid criticism and controversy over how the organisation is run.
According to Reuters, Infantino made the proposal in a letter to the FIFA Council and presidents of all 211 member associations, calling for an external review of FIFA’s governance arrangements for major strategic initiatives and recommendations for possible improvements.
“First, I will ask the Council whether they are willing to conduct an independent external review of FIFA’s current governance structure for major strategic initiatives and make recommendations for potential improvements,” Infantino wrote in the letter seen by Reuters.
He also proposed discussions with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on how FIFA’s decision-making process could be strengthened.
The discussions would examine who should have a role in major initiatives and the respective responsibilities of the president, bureau, Council and Congress, as well as ways to improve transparency and accountability.
The move follows criticism of Infantino over a proposal to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, including rights linked to the World Cup, to private investors. The plan was abandoned in July following opposition and threats of a boycott, prompting calls from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF for changes in FIFA leadership.
Infantino is seeking re-election next March and has already announced his intention to stand. According to sources familiar with the discussions, opposition groups have struggled to find a candidate to challenge him. Reuters reported earlier this month that Infantino still has enough support to win, leading opponents to focus instead on limiting his powers.
Infantino said the abandoned proposal had been intended to examine whether FIFA could raise additional funds for football development by selling a minority stake in a FIFA-controlled commercial company.
He said the proposal would not have involved giving up control over sporting decisions.
However, Infantino acknowledged that the plan became public before it had been fully presented to the Council and member associations.
“I acknowledge that its publication without the full context created concerns among many and the perception that decisions had already been taken,” he wrote. “But this was not the case.”
He said the plan had been only a proposal and was always subject to approval by the Council and member associations. It has now been withdrawn and will not proceed.
Infantino said he had heard different views on who should make decisions on major strategic issues. Some favour unanimous decisions by the bureau, while others want such matters to be put directly before Congress and the member associations.
He said supporters of different models should have the opportunity to present their arguments before any decision is made.
The advice received could be discussed at the FIFA Council meeting on October 15, while further proposals could be considered later. Any changes to FIFA’s statutes would require approval by Congress.
Infantino also said the positions taken by member associations on proposals or institutional matters would not affect FIFA’s treatment of them, with the organisation’s development and solidarity programmes continuing under existing rules.
“I am fully committed to leading FIFA and am very confident about what we can achieve together,” he wrote.
