Embattled Gianni Infantino says he is open to talks over FIFA reform

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed an outside review of how the governing body makes major decisions, ⁠acknowledging in a letter to members that its handling of a now-abandoned investment plan had caused outrage.

“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 on Monday in a letter seen by the Reuters news agency.

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

The proposals would examine who has a say in major initiatives – including the roles of the president, bureau, ‌council and congress – and how to improve transparency and accountability.

Infantino faced a fierce backlash over his proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, including the World Cup, to private investors. The plan was abandoned in July after opposition and boycott threats, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf subsequently calling for changes to FIFA’s leadership.

Infantino said the abandoned plan had explored whether selling a minority stake in a FIFA-controlled commercial company could raise more money for football development. It would not have involved giving up control over ⁠sporting decisions, he said.

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

“I recognise that, without the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. They had not.