Infantino proposes independent review of Fifa governance

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent external review of the governing body’s framework for major strategic initiatives, alongside a structured consultation on possible reforms.

The proposals were set out in a letter to Fifa Council members seen by BBC Sport and circulated to the organisation’s member associations. They are due to be considered at a council meeting next month, although neither measure has been approved.

Infantino’s proposed consultation would involve confederations, member associations and other stakeholders. It could examine earlier institutional involvement, the roles of the president, bureau, council and congress, and ways to strengthen transparency, participation and accountability.

The move follows pressure over the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, which would have created a company to manage commercial and ticketing rights for competitions including the World Cup. The plan also proposed selling a stake to a private investment company.

Uefa and Concacaf have demanded that Fifa pay $10m to each of its 211 members from cash reserves. BBC Sport has also reported that Uefa is preparing criminal legal proceedings in the United States over the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, while Fifa has described the action as a smear campaign.

Infantino, who was first elected Fifa president in 2016, is expected to seek a fourth term in March 2027. The scope of any review, its findings and the date of the council’s meeting remain unconfirmed.