Infantino Proposes Consultation on FIFA Reform

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed a consultation with the organisation’s 211 member associations and other football stakeholders on possible reforms to its decision-making process.

In a letter to the member associations seen by AFP on Monday, Infantino said he would ask the FIFA Council to establish a structured and time-limited consultation on ways to strengthen the governing body’s decision-making.

“I will propose that the Council establish a direct, structured and time-limited consultation with confederations, Member Associations and relevant stakeholders on how FIFA’s decision-making can be further strengthened,” Infantino wrote.

He said the process would seek proposals on earlier institutional involvement, the roles of the FIFA president, Bureau, Council and Congress, as well as measures to improve transparency, participation and accountability in major strategic decisions.

“The consultation would invite specific proposals on earlier institutional involvement, the respective roles of the President, the Bureau, the Council and the Congress, and practical ways to strengthen transparency, participation and accountability in major strategic initiatives,” the letter continued.

Infantino wants initial proposals from the consultation to be considered at the FIFA Council meeting scheduled for October 15.

The proposal comes after the 56-year-old Swiss faced criticism over an now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the men’s and women’s World Cups.

The proposals, announced in late July, included plans to establish a commercial subsidiary to manage major FIFA events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup.

Under the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative, private investors would have been allowed to acquire stakes in a company created to oversee the commercial operations.

The backlash prompted FIFA to shelve the proposals, while UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions.

UEFA later suspended that threat but has called for Infantino’s resignation and has been preparing possible legal action over what it described as alleged “criminal mismanagement”.

Infantino addressed the FFE controversy in his latest letter, insisting that FIFA’s democratic processes, independence and authority over the sport were never being offered for sale.

He also maintained that the proposal would not have transferred FIFA’s control over sporting decisions.

The FIFA president acknowledged that the plans became public before the organisation’s internal process had been completed and before they were fully presented to the Council and member associations.

He said this created concern and gave the impression that decisions had already been made, although he maintained that was not the case.

Infantino said major proposals should be developed, tested and communicated through institutions that are clear and trusted, adding that he took responsibility for ensuring this.

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

“Major ideas must be developed, tested and communicated through clear and trusted institutions. That is a responsibility I take seriously.”

UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had jointly criticised Infantino in August, arguing that football leadership should not be about acquiring or retaining power.

Infantino, however, has also received backing from some football bodies. Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup, supported him last month, while the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and South American football body CONMEBOL have also expressed support.

FIFA confirmed earlier in September that Infantino would seek re-election as president in March next year.

He is currently the only declared candidate, although CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is widely regarded as a potential challenger.

Nominations for the election must be submitted by November 18.