FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed a review of the organisation’s governance and decision-making processes, following criticism over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.
The proposal is contained in a letter sent to members of the FIFA Council and the presidents of all 211 football associations affiliated to the world governing body, according to The Athletic, which has seen the document.
Infantino intends to raise the issue at the next FIFA Council meeting on 15 October. He has suggested that an independent external organisation should examine how FIFA currently manages its major strategic initiatives and identify areas where its processes could be improved.
The FIFA president also wants to establish a formal, temporary consultation involving the confederations, national football associations and other stakeholders. The discussions would focus on how the organisation’s decision-making could be strengthened and made more effective.
Infantino has faced sustained criticism over the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which was withdrawn after attracting widespread opposition. He said the episode had shown that ambitious projects could succeed only when the decision-making process was supported by an adequate level of trust.
“Big ideas must be developed, tested and communicated through clear and reliable institutions. This is a responsibility that I take very seriously,” Infantino wrote in the letter.
The proposal comes amid a wider loss of confidence in the FIFA president. UEFA and several organisations affiliated to European football’s governing body, including France and the Netherlands, have already withdrawn their support for Infantino.
Despite that opposition, the Swiss plans to stand for another term as FIFA president. He currently has no officially declared challenger.
Potential candidates have until 18 November to announce their intention to contest the election.