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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed willingness to hold talks on reforms at world soccer’s governing body, according to The Athletic.
In a letter sent on Monday to members of the FIFA Council and presidents of all 211 member associations, Infantino addressed the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and presented two possible reform initiatives ahead of the FIFA Council meeting on October 15.
Two reform proposals
Infantino said he would ask the 37-member FIFA Council whether it wanted to commission an independent external review of the organisation’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives.
He also proposed establishing a direct, structured and time-limited consultation with confederations, member associations and other relevant stakeholders on strengthening FIFA’s decision-making processes.
The consultation could consider earlier institutional involvement, the respective responsibilities of the president, the Bureau, the Council and the Congress, as well as practical measures to improve transparency, participation and accountability in major strategic decisions.
Pressure after withdrawn investment plan
Infantino stressed in the letter that FIFA’s democratic processes, independence and sporting authority “were never for sale” and would not be sold in the future.
The FIFA Council will decide whether to advance the proposed reforms. Infantino has faced increasing pressure since launching the now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan this summer.
The proposal involved selling private investors stakes in a company responsible for commercial rights to the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. It was withdrawn after widespread opposition, but several national associations and continental governing bodies have continued to raise questions about Infantino’s leadership.
