FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to review the governing body’s decision-making has failed to ease concerns among several member associations, with football officials in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Wales saying the reforms do not address deeper leadership issues.
In a Monday letter to FIFA’s 211 member associations, seen by Reuters, Infantino proposed an independent review of FIFAs decision-making processes and consultations on governance reforms. The move followed backlash over his abandoned attempt to sell a 20% stake in FIFAs commercial operations, including rights linked to the World Cup.
That commercial-stake plan was dropped in July after strong opposition from continental confederations, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF accusing FIFA of pursuing it without adequate consultation. UEFA has since said it had lost faith in the current president.
Infantino struck a conciliatory tone in the letter, saying he would consult confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on strengthening FIFA’s decision-making. He also said associations’ positions on proposals would not affect their treatment by FIFA, and that development and solidarity programmes would continue under existing rules.
“Transparent ploy”
Germany’s Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf, a FIFA Council member, dismissed the letter on Tuesday as an attempt to secure another term.
“I regard Gianni Infantino’s letter as a transparent ploy to secure his re-election next year,” Neuendorf said. “FIFA now seems to have recognised that changes are essential. However, Gianni Infantino is definitely not the right person to lead a reform process. He has squandered all credibility.”
The Dutch FA (KNVB) said the proposals contained some elements it had previously called for but had not restored trust. A KNVB spokesperson, quoted by ANP via Reuters, said the actions “are partly in line with our call for reforms,” while adding they “cannot be viewed separately from the (public) pressure” and would not have emerged without the current dynamics. The KNVB has proposed an international summit in Amsterdam and called for Infantino to be replaced by 2027.
Swedish FA president Simon åström welcomed parts of the content but said initiatives came late and that several measures should have been implemented long ago. He added that the letter had not changed Sweden’s view that FIFA needs new leadership.
Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney questioned talk of a major reform package, telling BBC Radio Wales that the letter “doesn’t actually say reform of FIFA itself” and instead discusses strategic projects and initiatives. Mooney reiterated opposition to outside investors in the World Cup: “The World Cup does not need private equity.”
Infantino is up for re-election in March 2027. People familiar with the discussions told Reuters this month that he still appeared to have enough support to win another term, prompting critics to focus on curbing presidential powers rather than only backing a rival ticket.