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.