Gianni Infantino buckles under Uefa pressure as Fifa President offers major concession after World Cup chaos

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino buckled under Uefa pressure as he offered a full independent review of the world body’s governance model. European, Asian and Concacaf bosses are demanding the Swiss resigns in the wake of the failed scheme to sell off the World Cup to private investors. Gianni Infantino has buckled under Uefa pressure Credit: Getty The Swiss footie chief has offered a full independent review of Fifa’s governance model Credit: Reuters National associations including the FA are also seeking a formal probe into Infantino’s role in US striker Folarin Balogun’s red card reversal this summer, after pressure from US President Donald Trump. And in a clear sign that Infantino is feeling the heat, the leader of the global game has now offered to meet his critics half-way. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! In a letter to all 211 member nations and Fifa’s ruling Council, Infantino said: “First, I will ask the Council whether it wishes to commission an independent external review of Fifa’s current governance framework for major strategic initiatives and recommend potential improvements. “Second, 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.” The letter, with a vow to “strengthen transparency, participation and accountability in major strategic initiatives” comes with Fifa facing THREE separate legal processes lodged by Uefa in the US. Infantino claimed that the Fifa Forward Enterprises plan “did not involve relinquishing Fifa’s control or authority over sporting decisions.” He added: “The proposal entered the public domain before Fifa’s planned institutional process had been completed. “I recognise that, without the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS National associations want the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card investigated Credit: Reuters “They had not. “It remained a proposal, not a decision, and was always subject to the necessary approvals of the Council and the Member Associations. It has now been withdrawn and will not proceed. “Fifa’s democratic processes, independence and sporting authority were never for sale. They are not for sale and never will be.” It is unlikely that Infantino’s opponents will back down with the latest step seen by many as a sign of weakness, although so far he still does not have a declared opponent for March’s Presidential election, with less than two months to the deadline for candidates to file. Comment now