Infantino Under Pressure: FIFA Chief Open To Independent Governance Review

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has signalled that he is open to an independent review of the organisation’s governance system as pressure mounts over the collapse of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.

In a letter sent on Monday to FIFA Council members and the organisation’s 211 member associations, Infantino said he would ask the Council whether it wanted an external and independent assessment of FIFA’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives. The proposal is expected to be discussed at the next FIFA Council meeting on October 15.

Infantino also proposed a structured consultation with FIFA’s confederations and member associations to examine ways of strengthening the organisation’s decision-making processes.

The move follows intense criticism of the FFE project, under which private investors were expected to acquire stakes connected to FIFA’s commercial operations and competitions, including the World Cup. The proposal became public before FIFA’s planned internal process had been completed, triggering opposition from several member associations, particularly within UEFA.

Infantino acknowledged that the early disclosure had created the impression that decisions had already been made. He maintained that the proposal had not been formally approved and was subsequently withdrawn after the backlash.

The controversy, however, has moved beyond FIFA’s internal politics. UEFA has sought documents and communications relating to the FFE proposal through US court proceedings and has said it is preparing potential criminal claims in Switzerland concerning alleged mismanagement. FIFA has rejected UEFA’s legal efforts, describing them in a US filing as part of what it called a campaign against the organisation and its leadership.

Despite abandoning the FFE plan, Infantino said FIFA would continue looking for sustainable ways to increase its resources and reinvest more money into football. He argued that the episode should lead to stronger processes rather than a retreat from FIFA’s financial ambitions.

The governance dispute comes months before Infantino is due to seek a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027. Potential challengers have until November 18 to submit their candidacies, putting the organisation’s governance and decision-making processes under increased scrutiny.