Fifa president Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent review of the world football body's decision-making process. This move could help him regain support after the withdrawal of a controversial private investment plan. Infantino wrote to the Fifa Council and all 211 member association presidents, suggesting an external review of Fifa's current governance framework for major strategic initiatives.
The proposed review would examine who has a say in major initiatives, including the respective roles of the president, bureau, council, and congress. It would also look into how to improve transparency and accountability. Infantino's letter comes after he faced a fierce backlash over his proposal to sell a 20% stake in Fifa's commercial rights to private investors. The plan was abandoned in July due to opposition and boycott threats.
Infantino's opponents have been struggling to find a candidate to challenge him, as he will be running for re-election in March in Rabat. Sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters that he still had enough votes to win, prompting opponents to focus on curbing his powers. Infantino said the abandoned plan had explored whether selling a minority stake in a Fifa-controlled commercial company could raise more money for football development.
The proposal became public before it could be presented in full to the council and member associations, according to Infantino. He acknowledged that this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. Infantino emphasized that the proposal remained a proposal, not a decision, and was always subject to the necessary approvals of the council and the member associations.
Infantino said he had heard differing ideas about who should decide major strategic questions. Some favoured requiring unanimous agreement in the bureau, while others wanted such matters put directly to congress and the member associations. He wrote that his role is not to pre-judge that discussion and that those who support a particular model should have the opportunity to set out their case clearly.
Suggestions received by the October 15 council meeting could be discussed there, with later submissions also considered within a deadline yet to be specified. Any changes to Fifa's statutes would need congress approval. Infantino also said member associations' positions on proposals or governance matters would not affect their treatment by Fifa, whose development and solidarity programmes would continue under existing rules.
Infantino remains committed to leading Fifa and confident in what the organization can achieve together. He emphasized that no association's treatment will depend on its position on any proposal or institutional matter. The proposed independent review and consultations with confederations, member associations, and other stakeholders aim to strengthen Fifa's decision-making process.
Key points
- Infantino proposes independent review of Fifa's decision-making process
- Fifa president aims to regain support after withdrawal of private investment plan
- Proposed review to examine roles of president, bureau, council, and congress in major initiatives
