Gianni Infantino Calls for FIFA Governance Review After Investment Backlash
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for a review of the organisation’s governance and decision-making processes following criticism of a proposed private investment plan. In a letter to FIFA’s 211 member associations, Infantino proposed a structured consultation covering the roles of the president, FIFA Council and Congress, along with greater transparency and participation.
The Gianni Infantino FIFA governance review follows the withdrawal of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, a commercial structure that could have allowed private investors to take stakes in a company overseeing major FIFA events.
The Gianni Infantino FIFA governance review comes after several football bodies objected to the investment proposal. UEFA had threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions and later called for Infantino to resign, according to Africanews and AP.
FIFA had previously described the Forward Enterprise proposal as a consultation-stage project that would require approval from member associations and the FIFA Council. The organisation later withdrew the proposal, saying it had created divisions that no longer served its intended purpose.
Infantino defended the original plan while acknowledging that information about it became public before the internal consultation process had been completed. He said this created the impression that decisions had already been made.
The proposed FIFA governance reforms would examine how major decisions are discussed and approved within football’s global governing body. The consultation is also expected to address how FIFA can involve its member associations and other stakeholders more clearly in future processes.
The investment dispute has already prompted wider calls for changes to FIFA’s decision-making framework. The Asian Football Confederation previously urged an urgent review after opposing the Forward Enterprise proposal, citing concerns about consultation and decision-making.
The Gianni Infantino FIFA governance review therefore shifts attention from the abandoned investment proposal toward FIFA’s internal procedures and how future commercial initiatives are presented to its membership.
Initial proposals from the FIFA governance reforms are expected to be considered at a FIFA Council meeting on October 15. The consultation will involve FIFA’s member associations as the organisation considers changes to its decision-making structure.
Infantino is also seeking another term as FIFA president at the election scheduled for March. He is currently the only confirmed candidate, while CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has been reported as a potential challenger.
