Infantino asks Fifa council for independent external review of governance

Gianni Infantino wrote to the Fifa council and all 211 member association presidents on Monday proposing an independent external review of Fifa’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives and acknowledging that the handling of a now-abandoned investment plan had caused concern.

The proposals, Infantino said, would look at who has a say on major initiatives and seek ways to improve transparency and accountability; he also outlined plans to consult confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on strengthening decision-making.

"First, I will ask the council whether it wishes to commission an independent external review ⁠of Fifa’s current governance framework for major strategic initiatives and recommend potential improvements," Infantino wrote.

He faced a fierce backlash over a proposal to sell a 20% stake in Fifa’s commercial rights, including the World Cup, to private investors; that plan was abandoned in July after opposition and boycott threats, with Uefa, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf subsequently calling for changes to Fifa’s leadership.

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 and that it would not have involved giving up control over sporting decisions, adding that the proposal became public before it could be presented in full to the council and member associations.

"I recognise that, without the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. They had not."

"It remained a proposal, not a decision, and was always subject to the necessary approvals of the council and the member associations. It has now been withdrawn and will not proceed."

Some members have argued for unanimous bureau agreement on major strategic questions while others have proposed referring such matters directly to congress and the member associations; "My role is not to pre-judge that discussion. Those who support a particular model should have the opportunity to set out their case clearly," he wrote.

Suggestions received by the 15 October council meeting could be discussed there, with later submissions also considered by a deadline yet to be specified; any changes to Fifa’s statutes would require congress approval. Infantino added: "No association’s treatment will depend on its position on any proposal or institutional matter," and said: "I remain fully committed to leading Fifa and confident in what we can achieve together."