FIFA Reverses Governance Reforms, Plans Expansion of Committees

FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, is set to create dozens of new committees and expert panels, reversing a governance reform passed in 2016 during corruption scandals that had engulfed the organization. The proposed changes, which will be voted on by FIFA's member associations, include increasing the number of standing committees from 7 to 35, with the option for the FIFA president to create additional expert panels.

This expansion could allow FIFA to award hundreds of expenses-paid committee seats to soccer officials worldwide. Critics argue that the move appears to be a drift away from the spirit of the 2016 reforms, which had aimed to improve efficiency and involve FIFA's member federations in a more meaningful and gender-balanced way. FIFA maintains that the changes are designed to "reflect the increasing breadth and depth of FIFA's activities in recent years" and allow for more member associations to be directly involved in the decision-making processes.

The proposed committees cover various aspects of the sport, including a dedicated Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee, as well as separate bodies for men's and women's national team, club, and youth competitions. FIFA is also preparing to confirm the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 men's World Cups at the same meeting, with Saudi Arabia in 2034 and a joint bid from Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay in 2030 as the preferred candidates.

Why this matters: The reversal of FIFA's governance reforms and the expansion of committees raises concerns about transparency and accountability within the organization. The move comes at a time when FIFA is still working to rebuild its reputation following major corruption scandals in recent years.

The proposed changes will be voted on by FIFA's 211 member associations at the next congress meeting in May 2024. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that the expansion is necessary to reflect the growing scope of FIFA's activities and to involve more member associations in the decision-making process. However, critics argue that the move could lead to a return to the patronage system that was prevalent under former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, where committee seats were used to encourage loyalty among soccer officials.

Key Takeaways

• FIFA plans to create 35 new committees, reversing 2016 governance reforms.
• Proposed changes aim to increase member involvement but raise transparency concerns.
• FIFA claims changes reflect growth, but critics fear return to patronage system.
• FIFA to confirm 2030 and 2034 World Cup hosts at next congress meeting.
• Proposed changes will be voted on by FIFA's 211 member associations in 2024.