Infantino Orders FIFA Governance Review Amid Growing Backlash
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has moved to initiate an independent review of the organisation’s governance structure amid growing criticism from member associations, leagues and other football stakeholders.
The proposed review follows mounting concerns over recent administrative decisions and the increasingly congested international football calendar, which have sparked debate across the global game.
Infantino said he would ask the FIFA Council to consider commissioning an independent external assessment of the governing body’s current framework, particularly its approach to major strategic initiatives.
In a letter sent to FIFA Council members and presidents of the organisation’s 211 member associations, Infantino acknowledged that recent developments had generated concerns and created the impression that some decisions had already been made.
“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, according to Reuters.
He stressed that the proposals under scrutiny had not been formally adopted and remained subject to approval by the FIFA Council and member associations.
“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 It has now been withdrawn and will not proceed,” he added.
Infantino also said stakeholders supporting different models should be given the opportunity to present their arguments as part of an open discussion.
The FIFA president further assured member associations that their positions on institutional proposals would not affect how they are treated by the world governing body.
“No association’s treatment will depend on its position on any proposal or institutional matter,” he said.
The governance review is expected to examine FIFA’s decision-making processes and operational structures as the organisation seeks to address concerns among key stakeholders ahead of upcoming congresses.
Infantino, meanwhile, reaffirmed his commitment to remaining at the helm of FIFA and working with its members on the organisation’s future direction.
The proposed review follows mounting concerns over recent administrative decisions and the increasingly congested international football calendar, which have sparked debate across the global game.
Infantino said he would ask the FIFA Council to consider commissioning an independent external assessment of the governing body’s current framework, particularly its approach to major strategic initiatives.
In a letter sent to FIFA Council members and presidents of the organisation’s 211 member associations, Infantino acknowledged that recent developments had generated concerns and created the impression that some decisions had already been made.
“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, according to Reuters.
He stressed that the proposals under scrutiny had not been formally adopted and remained subject to approval by the FIFA Council and member associations.
“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,” he added.
Infantino also said stakeholders supporting different models should be given the opportunity to present their arguments as part of an open discussion.
The FIFA president further assured member associations that their positions on institutional proposals would not affect how they are treated by the world governing body.
“No association’s treatment will depend on its position on any proposal or institutional matter,” he said.
The governance review is expected to examine FIFA’s decision-making processes and operational structures as the organisation seeks to address concerns among key stakeholders ahead of upcoming congresses.
Infantino, meanwhile, reaffirmed his commitment to remaining at the helm of FIFA and working with its members on the organisation’s future direction.
