FIFA's Proposed Governance Review Faces Pushback From European Associations

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent review of the organisation's governance, after the collapse of a controversial commercial project triggered sharp criticism from several member associations, including major names within UEFA.

The review follows the abandonment of the "FIFA Forward Enterprise" plan, which would have created a new commercial vehicle built around FIFA's tournament rights, with a possible minority stake sold to outside investors. The proposal leaked before FIFA's internal process was complete, prompting a number of high-profile UEFA members to withdraw their support, and UEFA has since begun drafting criminal charges against Infantino in US courts related to the plan.

In a letter to FIFA's Council and its 211 member associations ahead of an October 15 meeting, Infantino acknowledged the proposal had caused concern before it could be properly presented. However, some European associations have indicated the independent review does not go far enough, calling for more substantial structural reforms to FIFA's governance.