FIFA to Consider External Governance Review After World Cup Rights Sale Row

Under Pressure, Infantino proposes review of FIFA decision making

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent external review of the governing body's decision-making after fierce backlash over an abandoned plan to sell a stake in FIFA's commercial rights, including the World Cup.

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

FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed an external review of how the governing body makes major decisions on Monday, acknowledging in a letter to members that its handling of a now-scrapped investment plan had caused concern.

“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 to the ‌FIFA Council and all 211 member association presidents in a letter seen.

He also said he would propose consultations with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on strengthening FIFA's decision-making processes.

The proposals would assess who has input into major initiatives, including the respective roles of the president, Bureau, Council and Congress, and how to improve transparency and accountability.

Infantino faced strong criticism over his proposal to sell a 20% stake in FIFA's commercial rights, including the World Cup, to private investors. The plan was dropped in July following opposition and boycott threats, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF later calling for changes to FIFA's leadership.

Infantino said the abandoned plan had examined whether selling a minority stake in a FIFA-controlled commercial company could generate more funds for football development. He added that it would not have meant relinquishing control over sporting decisions.

But according to Infantino, the proposal became public before it could be presented in full to the Council and member associations.

Infantino said he had heard differing views on who should decide major strategic issues. Some supported requiring unanimous agreement within the Bureau, while others preferred such matters to be taken 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.

“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.”

Gianni Infantino says an external body should assess FIFA's decision-making and governance framework

Suggestions received by the October 15 Council meeting could be discussed there, with later submissions also considered within a deadline yet to be announced. Any changes to FIFA's statutes would require Congress approval.

Infantino also said member associations' stances on proposals or governance issues would not affect how they are treated by FIFA, adding that 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.”