FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is open to an independent review of the governing body's decision-making processes following the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.
Infantino sent a letter to FIFA Council members and the organisation's 211 member associations on Monday, outlining proposals for an external assessment ahead of the next FIFA Council meeting on October 15.
The move comes after the FFE plan faced opposition from several football bodies and prompted calls for greater scrutiny of FIFA's governance.
“I will ask the Council whether it wishes to commission an external, independent assessment of FIFA's current governance framework for major strategic initiatives and to recommend potential improvements,†Infantino stated in his letter, which was seen by The Associated Press.
“I will propose that the Council establish a direct, structured, and time-bound consultation with the confederations and member associations on how to further strengthen FIFA's decision-making processes,†he added.
The FFE concept involved private investors acquiring a stake in FIFA's commercial rights, including those linked to the World Cup and other competitions. The proposal was withdrawn in July following opposition from UEFA and other confederations.
FIFA Forward Enterprise plan sparks backlash
The FFE proposal became public before FIFA's planned institutional process had been completed, according to Infantino, who acknowledged that this created concerns among member associations.
“The proposal entered the public domain before FIFA's planned institutional process had been completed and before it could be presented in full to the Council and the member associations. I recognize that, without full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. They had not,†Infantino said in the letter.
The fallout has led to demands for greater transparency and independent scrutiny from within the football community. UEFA and CONCACAF presidents Aleksander Ceferin and Victor Montagliani recently called for an independent review of FIFA's financial reserves, while several football associations have questioned the organisation's handling of the FFE proposal.
UEFA has also sought documents and testimony from FIFA entities in the United States as part of its consideration of potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland relating to the FFE plan.
UEFA has alleged that the proposal was developed without adequate consultation with FIFA's governing bodies, claims that FIFA has disputed.
Infantino remains committed to increasing FIFA revenue
Despite withdrawing the FFE proposal, Infantino said FIFA would continue looking for ways to increase its resources and invest more money into football.
“Withdrawing this proposal does not diminish our ambition or our responsibility to reinvest a greater share of the fruits of FIFA's success into football. We will continue to explore sustainable ways to increase FIFA's resources,†Infantino added.
“What changes is not the ambition, but the strength of the process.â€
