Fifa president Gianni Infantino has proposed an external review of how world football's governing body operates, and says he is open to reform. In a letter sent to members of the Fifa Council and all of its national associations, Infantino explains the independent process would recommend potential improvements. This move comes as Infantino faces increasing pressure over his aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal.
Infantino's proposal for an external review and reform comes after a major backlash over his Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, which would have involved selling stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors. The plan sparked a significant reaction, with many criticizing the potential loss of control and authority over sporting decisions. Infantino insists that the plan did not involve relinquishing Fifa's control or authority over sporting decisions.
The Fifa president has suggested a consultation on how Fifa's decision-making can be further strengthened, including proposals on the role of the president and practical ways to strengthen transparency, participation, and accountability in major strategic initiatives. This consultation will be with confederations, member associations, and relevant stakeholders. Infantino claims that democratic processes, independence, and sporting authority were never for sale.
Infantino's letter comes after Uefa and Concacaf demanded Fifa pays $10m to all 211 members from its cash reserves. The Fifa Forward Enterprise plan would have meant a new company being created to manage commercial and ticketing rights of all Fifa competitions, including World Cups, with 21% sold off to a private investment company. Infantino claims that the collapse of FFE does not diminish Fifa's ambition or responsibility to invest more of its success back into football.
Earlier this month, Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, a Fifa vice-president, told Infantino to release all documents relating to his controversial plan. The 56-year-old Swiss-Italian Fifa leader will stand for election for a fourth time in March 2027, with his opponents having until 18 November to find an alternative candidate. Last month, European football's governing body Uefa began preparing criminal legal proceedings against Infantino at courts in the US over the FFE plan.
Infantino's tone shift represents a change in bid to survive, with the Fifa Council meeting for the first time since this crisis began on 15 October. Infantino will hope that this relieves some of the pressure he is under. However, even if he is prepared to accept some changes to the way Fifa is run, it remains to be seen if that will be enough to win over some of those that have turned against him.
Infantino's critics want an overhaul of Fifa's governance, with curbs on the president's power, more separation between the president and the Fifa administration, greater emphasis on human rights and sustainability, and the redistribution of Fifa's cash reserves. It will be fascinating to see if Infantino is prepared to accept such changes if it means staying in power. Infantino remains fully committed to leading Fifa and confident in what can be achieved together.
Key points
- Fifa president Gianni Infantino proposes external review and reform of football's governing body amid pressure over his Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal.
- Infantino's plan would have involved selling stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors, sparking a major backlash.
- The Fifa president remains committed to leading Fifa and confident in what can be achieved together, despite calls for his resignation.
