FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he is open to talks on reforming FIFA’s decision-making process after facing backlash over a proposed private investment plan.
Infantino wants FIFA to review how it makes major strategic decisions. He said he would ask the FIFA Council to consider an independent review of the organisation’s governance framework.
“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,” he wrote in a letter to the FIFA Council and the presidents of FIFA’s 211 member associations.
He also proposed talks with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on FIFA’s decision-making process.
The review would look at the roles of the president, Bureau, Council and Congress. It would also consider ways to improve transparency and accountability.
Infantino faced strong opposition over plans to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, including the World Cup, to private investors. He withdrew the plan in July after opposition and boycott threats.
Infantino said the proposal aimed to explore new ways to raise funds for football development. He said FIFA would have kept control of sporting decisions.
However, he acknowledged that the plan’s early disclosure caused concern.
“I recognise that, without the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. They had not,” he wrote.
“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 It has now been withdrawn and will not proceed.”
Infantino said FIFA could discuss governance proposals at its October 15 Council meeting. Any changes to FIFA’s statutes would require Congress approval.
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