The 12-page report created in 2015 was meant to save FIFA from its corruption scandal and restore trust in the organization. It proposed reforms in accountability, transparency, and term limits, among others. Gianni Infantino, who was a candidate for FIFA president at the time, played a key role in drafting the report and later enacted many of the proposed changes as he came into office. However, recent actions by FIFA indicate a backtracking on these reforms, with the organization seeking to roll back some of the changes it had earlier embraced.
Soccer’s appetite for reform seems to have decreased in recent years. African soccer’s governing body was found to have misappropriated funds, and other regional bodies like Europe and North/Central America have failed to follow through on their promised reforms. The Asian soccer confederation is considering scrapping term limits for its senior leadership. Infantino and FIFA are seeking to make changes to its statutes that would reverse some of the progress made in previous years, to the concern of critics who argue that this move away from good governance principles is detrimental to the organization.
FIFA and Infantino have often cited external validation of the reforms made since the scandal, with the United States Department of Justice being mentioned. However, U.S. officials have clarified that they have not endorsed FIFA’s current reform efforts. While FIFA has been designated a victim by the Justice Department, it has not received direct restitution funds, indicating a reluctance to fully back the organization’s claims of transformation. Meanwhile, FIFA is seeking to increase the number of committees, a move contradicting earlier efforts to streamline and improve efficiency.
Reforms in soccer’s governing bodies have been weakened regionally, with the Asian confederation abolishing term limits and Europe’s president attempting to extend his stay beyond the customary limit. Well-paid positions and powerful presidency roles continue to persist, with FIFA Council members earning substantial annual salaries for minimal meetings. Infantino himself has seen his salary rise significantly and has been granted a term-limit modification specific to him. The changes being proposed in Bangkok suggest a consolidation of power and a formalization of reversals from earlier reform efforts.
Miguel Maduro, the former FIFA governance head appointed by Infantino, has criticized the organization for reverting back to old practices. He argues that taking down a few bad apples is not enough if the root causes remain unchanged. As Infantino cements his position, he is also rolling back efforts to reduce the influence of his office and centralizing important decisions within a smaller group known as the bureau. The recent bid selection process for future World Cups has raised concerns over potential undue influence and lack of transparency.
Overall, FIFA’s backtrack on reforms and Infantino’s increasing consolidation of power have raised alarms among critics and observers. The move away from the principles of good governance adopted post-scandal threatens to undermine the progress made by the organization. The fate of FIFA’s proposed changes in Bangkok remains uncertain, but many are watching closely to see how the trajectory of reform within the soccer governing body continues to evolve.
