A 12-page report drafted in 2015 aimed to save FIFA, the governing body of soccer, from an existential crisis following a corruption scandal. The report included proposals for reform and changes to promote transparency, accountability, and term limits, and it was authored by numerous soccer insiders, including Gianni Infantino. Infantino, who later became FIFA president, presented himself as a clean break from the past and quickly began enacting reforms. However, almost a decade later, the appetite for reform seems to have waned in the soccer world.
While FIFA and Infantino claim to have transformed the organization into a respected and modern governing body, external endorsements of these reforms are scarce. American officials have not reviewed FIFA’s governance standards, and a U.S. prosecutor’s office declined to endorse the changes made by the federation. Despite being granted victim status, FIFA has not received restitution funds directly and was required to create a special fund for the proceeds. Some proposed changes by Infantino, such as increasing the number of committees, have raised concerns about a return to old practices.
Across different regional soccer confederations, promised reforms have been watered down or ignored altogether. For example, the Asian confederation voted to abolish term limits, allowing its leadership to stay indefinitely. In Europe, there was an attempt to extend the president’s term limit, while in North America, promised changes like hiring independent board members were not implemented. Salaries for FIFA Council members remain high, and Infantino’s salary has more than doubled since taking office, with a term limits modification that could allow him to stay in his position for 15 years.
Despite initial efforts to transfer more authority to FIFA’s top administrator, the secretary general position, much of the decision-making power has been consolidated into the hands of the bureau, comprising regional presidents and Infantino. Closed-door meetings have led to decisions that limit the bidders for future World Cup events and effectively award hosting rights years in advance. With Infantino solidifying his position, the role of the secretary general is likely to be further diminished, with their job description changing to report directly to the president.
The evolution of FIFA governance under Infantino has raised concerns about a regression to old practices and the lack of true reform. While initial efforts were made to address corruption and promote transparency, recent developments suggest a watering down of these changes and a return to the status quo. FIFA’s reputation and commitment to good governance are being questioned, and the future of the organization’s leadership structure remains uncertain.
