Fifa president Gianni Infantino has signalled his willingness to submit the organisation to external scrutiny, proposing an independent review of its governance framework in response to mounting criticism over his failed investment scheme. In a letter sent to all 211 of Fifa's member associations, Infantino outlined a two-part initiative to be considered at a council meeting on 15 October, calling for an external assessment of Fifa's current governance structures and a structured consultation period with confederations, member associations and stakeholders. According to Reuters, Fifa confirmed that a review of the withdrawn Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal will be presented to the council alongside these governance recommendations.
"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 stated in the letter.
"Second, 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."
The Fifa Council, which comprises 28 representatives of the six confederations, eight vice-presidents and Infantino, is expected to approve the commissioning of an external review, though its terms of reference will be crucial in determining whether the world governing body is open to significant change or whether this represents an attempt by Infantino to consolidate his position before the presidential election in March 2027. Notably, Infantino does not commit in his letter to reviewing the Fifa Forward Enterprise and Folarin Balogun controversy specifically, falling short of demands made by Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt.
What triggered the governance review proposal?
The initiative follows intense backlash against Infantino's now-abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, which would have created a new commercial entity to manage ticketing and broadcasting rights across all competitions, with 21% ownership transferred to private investors. According to Off the Pitch, Fifa confirmed the plan had been "irrevocably and permanently withdrawn" after Uefa signalled it might suspend European teams' participation in Fifa competitions.
The proposal drew fierce opposition from Uefa and Concacaf, the continental bodies representing Europe and North America, Central America and the Caribbean respectively. On 18 September, these confederations demanded that Fifa distribute at least $10 million to each of its 211 member associations from its reserves. According to reporting on the dispute, the reserves under discussion amounted to approximately $6 billion, with the confederations arguing that member associations deserved a share of these funds.
Earlier this month, Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, who serves as a Fifa vice-president, publicly instructed Infantino to release all documents connected to the controversial scheme. In early September, Fifa responded by accusing Uefa of orchestrating a "smear campaign against it and its leadership" in a counter-challenge to litigation proceedings.
The Asian Football Confederation president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, sent a similar letter demanding funding on Monday, with the issue of reserves distribution also set to feature on the agenda at the Fifa Council meeting on 15 October.
What will the consultation process examine?
The structured consultation Infantino proposes would examine how decision-making authority is distributed across Fifa's institutional hierarchy. The review and consultations would specifically investigate the respective roles of the president, Bureau, Council and Congress in major decisions, alongside practical measures to strengthen transparency, participation and accountability in strategic initiatives.
"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 consultation would invite specific proposals on earlier institutional involvement in decision-making and explore structural mechanisms to reinforce oversight. This represents a notable concession from Infantino, who has previously resisted calls for enhanced governance constraints.
Who else has demanded reform?
Infantino's proposal arrives after multiple stakeholders called for independent scrutiny of Fifa's operations. Fifpro Europe, the players' union representing European footballers, issued its own call for an independent review of Fifa Council executive decision-making following the failed investment proposal. The union's intervention underscores how the FFE controversy extended beyond confederations to affect player representation in Fifa governance discussions.
Several members of the Fifa council had been lobbying for an external review of both the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise sell-off and the Folarin Balogun controversy, with Hewitt increasing pressure by writing to Infantino last week. Infantino initially opted not to engage with these disgruntled council members before issuing his letter to all member associations.
What happens next?
The Fifa Council is expected to consider the review of the withdrawn investment plan at its meeting on 15 October in Zurich. The member-association consultations proposed by Infantino are described as time-limited, though no separate public date has yet been announced for their commencement or conclusion.
Infantino, the 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator who first assumed the presidency in 2016, will seek election for a fourth term in March 2027. Potential challengers have until 18 November to declare their candidacy, meaning the governance review and consultation process will unfold against the backdrop of his re-election campaign.
Key Facts
- Infantino proposed an independent external review of Fifa governance and a structured consultation with member associations and confederations
- The proposal follows the withdrawal of the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, which would have privatised commercial rights management
- Uefa and Concacaf demanded Fifa distribute $10 million from its $6 billion reserves to each of its 211 member associations
- The Fifa Council will consider the governance review at its meeting on 15 October
- Infantino will stand for re-election as Fifa president in March 2027
