Infantino offers independent Fifa review after investment plan backlash

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent examination of the organisation’s decision-making process as he seeks to rebuild support following the withdrawal of a controversial private investment plan.

In a letter sent to the Fifa Council and the presidents of all 211 member associations, Infantino said he would ask the Council to consider commissioning an external review of Fifa’s governance arrangements for major strategic initiatives.

“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 the letter seen by Reuters.

He also intends to consult confederations, member associations and other stakeholders about possible changes to the way major decisions are made.

The review would consider which Fifa bodies should have authority over significant initiatives, including the roles of the president, Bureau, Council and Congress. It would also examine ways to improve transparency and accountability.

Infantino came under strong criticism after proposing the sale of a 20% stake in a Fifa-controlled commercial company, including rights linked to the World Cup, to private investors. The plan was abandoned in July following opposition and threats of boycotts.

Uefa, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf later called for changes to Fifa’s leadership. However, opponents have so far struggled to identify a candidate to stand against Infantino, who will seek re-election in March in Rabat.

Sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters this month that Infantino still had enough support to win, leading his critics to concentrate instead on limiting the president’s powers.

Infantino said the abandoned investment proposal had been intended to explore whether a minority sale of a Fifa-controlled commercial company could generate additional funding for football development. He said it would not have transferred control of sporting decisions.

He added that the proposal had become public before it could be fully presented 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,” Infantino wrote in the letter sent on Monday.

“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 there were different views on how Fifa should approve major strategic matters. Some wanted unanimous backing from the Bureau, while others supported referring such decisions 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.

Ideas submitted before the Council meeting on October 15 could be discussed at that gathering. Further proposals may also be considered, although no deadline has yet been set. Any amendments to Fifa’s statutes would require approval by Congress.

Infantino also assured member associations that their positions on governance proposals would not affect how Fifa treated them. Its development and solidarity programmes would continue under the existing rules.

“No association’s treatment will depend on its position on any proposal or institutional matter,” he wrote.

“I remain fully committed to leading Fifa and confident in what we can achieve together.”