FIFA President Gianni Infantino takes major FIFA reform decision ahead of elections.
As per a letter sent to FIFA's 211 member associations, Infantino on Monday, September 21, proposed consulting member associations on reforming the world soccer governing body's decision-making process, Korean Herald reported.
"I will propose that the Council establish a direct, structured and time-limited consultation with confederations, Member Associations and relevant stakeholders on how FIFA's decision-making can be further strengthened," Infantino wrote.
The 56-year-old Swiss has faced criticism since abandoning a plan to bring private investment into the men's and women's World Cups.
The letter said, "The consultation would invite specific proposals on earlier institutional involvement, the respective roles of the President, the Bureau, the Council and the Congress, and practical ways to strengthen transparency, participation and accountability in major strategic initiatives."
Infantino asked for initial proposals to be considered at the FIFA Council meeting scheduled for October 15.
He has faced mounting pressure since proposals were announced in late July to create a commercial subsidiary to run FIFA's biggest events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup.
The plan would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes in a company created under the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative. The backlash prompted FIFA to quickly shelve the proposal.
European soccer governing body UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions. It later suspended the threat but has urged Infantino to resign and has been preparing possible legal action against him over alleged "criminal mismanagement."
Infantino addressed FFE in his letter Monday, writing that "FIFA's democratic processes, independence and sporting authority were never for sale."
The plan also "did not involve relinquishing FIFA's control or authority over sporting decisions," he said.
He also lamented that 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 the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. They had not," Infantino added.
FIFA confirmed earlier this month that Infantino will seek re-election as president next March. He is currently the only candidate, although CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is widely regarded as a potential challenger.
