# Infantino agrees to governance review under pressure

> Fifa's president commits to external scrutiny after backlash over investment plan and decision-making processes.
- Title: Infantino agrees to governance review under pressure
- Summary: Fifa's president commits to external scrutiny after backlash over investment plan and decision-making processes. Infantino is submitting to an independent…
- Keywords: gianni infantino, fifa, governance review, fifa forward enterprise, folarin balogun, debbie hewitt, fifa council, presidential election, transparency, decision-making processes, sports, Infantino
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/21/gianni-infantino-proposes-independent-external-review-fifa-governance
- Published: 2026-09-21T21:05:26+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: gianni infantino, fifa, governance review, fifa forward enterprise, folarin balogun, debbie hewitt, fifa council, presidential election, transparency, decision-making processes, sports
## Infantino backs governance review
The Fifa president has agreed to commission an independent external review of the organisation's governance framework after mounting pressure from council members and national associations.
## World Cup sale debacle sparked demands
Council members had been lobbying for a review of the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise sell-off and the Folarin Balogun controversy, with the Football Association chair demanding all related documents.
## Two-part review process proposed
Infantino will ask the council to commission an external review of governance for major initiatives, and propose structured consultation with confederations and member associations on strengthening decision-making.

> I will ask the council whether it wishes to commission an independent external review of Fifa's current governance framework
## Terms of reference will be crucial
The Fifa Council will almost certainly approve the review, but how it's structured will determine whether this represents genuine reform or an attempt by Infantino to consolidate power before the March presidential election.
## Infantino sidesteps specific demands
The president did not commit to reviewing the Forward Enterprise sale or Balogun controversy specifically, stopping short of the Football Association chair's demands for full transparency on both issues.
## Pressure over Fifa's cash reserves
Presidents of Uefa and Concacaf are demanding Fifa distribute at least ten million dollars to each national association from its six billion dollar cash reserves, with the issue set for the October council meeting.
## Key takeaway

Infantino is submitting to an independent governance review for the first time, though the terms of reference will determine whether this represents real change or a power consolidation move.