Infantino's Reform Pledge Fails to Sway FIFA Critics

The FIFA president said he is open to governance reform, but UEFA and others pushing for an independent review see no change in his position.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has told the organization's vice-presidents, its Council and the heads of all 211 member associations that he is "fully open" to reform. But sources indicate the letter, followed by an Instagram post, has done nothing to change the view of his critics.

The letter did not address demands for an independent external review of a scrapped plan to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors, which Infantino abandoned on August 1. Nor did it respond to calls for a review of the Folarin Balogun case, in which a one-match ban for the United States striker was suspended at the World Cup.

UEFA has led the push for an independent review and has filed legal applications in the American courts seeking disclosure of documents tied to the investor plan. The European body declined to comment on Monday. It has previously said it has "lost confidence" in Infantino and is working to put forward an alternative candidate in next year's presidential election.

English Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, a FIFA vice-president and Council member, wrote to Infantino last week asking him to release documents linked to the plan and to explain the circumstances around the Balogun decision. US President Donald Trump acknowledged he asked Infantino to review the red card Balogun received against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Infantino has proposed that the FIFA Council consider commissioning an independent review of the governance framework for major strategic initiatives, along with a consultation with confederations and member associations on strengthening decision-making. He has confirmed he intends to run again, and retains backing in Africa, Oceania and South America as well as from several Middle East nations, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, despite the Asian Football Confederation's opposition.