Fifa president Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent external review into the governance of world football's governing body, insisting he remains open to structural reform.
The move follows intense scrutiny and a fierce backlash over the aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, which would have seen commercial and ticketing rights for major tournaments — including the World Cup — partially offloaded to private investors.
In a letter addressed to members of the Fifa Council and all 211 national member associations, including the Bermuda Football Association, Infantino outlined plans for an outside review to "recommend potential improvements" in how the organisation operates.
Ahead of a key Fifa Council meeting scheduled for next month, Infantino also tabled a wide-ranging consultation process focused on "how Fifa's decision-making can be further strengthened".
The scope would look at the responsibilities tied to the role of the president, while identifying "practical ways to strengthen transparency, participation and accountability in major strategic initiatives".
The concessions arrive at a testing moment for Infantino's leadership following widespread opposition to the controversial FFE initiative.
Under that scheme, a newly created vehicle would have managed commercial and ticketing operations across all Fifa competitions, with a 21% stake being sold to an external private investment firm.
The blueprint triggered fierce resistance from regional confederations, culminating in Uefa and Concacaf demanding that Fifa distribute $10m to each of the 211 member associations directly from its existing cash reserves instead.
In what marks a conciliatory response to critics, Infantino wrote: "Over recent weeks, I have taken time to listen before writing to you," pledging to conduct formal consultations with confederations, member associations, and other key stakeholders.
Infantino was also keen to push back against accusations that Fifa was preparing to cede control over the sport, writing that the FFE venture "did not involve relinquishing Fifa's control or authority over sporting decisions. Obviously!"
He added: "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 recognise that, without the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. They had not."
Defending his record, the 56-year-old maintained that governance principles had never been on the negotiating table.
"Democratic processes, independence and sporting authority were never for sale. They are not for sale and never will be," Infantino wrote, adding that he remains "fully committed to leading Fifa and confident in what we can achieve together."
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