London [UK], September 23: FIFA president Gianni Infantino's pledges to reform the organization do not appear to have calmed his critics.
The Swiss wrote to FIFA's vice-presidents, the FIFA Council and the presidents of the 211 national member associations on Monday stating he was "fully open" to reform.
However, sources have since indicated that from their perspective nothing has changed, with Infantino's letter - and subsequent Instagram post - failing to address calls for an independent external review of the controversial plan to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors or the clamour for a review of the Folarin Balogun case.
UEFA has led those calls for an independent review and has also made legal applications through the American courts for disclosure of documents linked to the private investor plan, which Infantino was forced to abandon on August 1. European football's governing body declined to comment on Monday.
Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, who is also a FIFA vice-president and member of the FIFA Council, also wrote to Infantino last week demanding he disclose documents linked to the plan and asking for full transparency on the circumstances which led to US striker Balogun having a one-match ban suspended at the World Cup.
Infantino has put forward two proposals which he says aim to ensure FIFA's governance "remains in step with the challenges and opportunities that exist within our sport".
He has asked whether FIFA Council wishes to commission an independent review of FIFA's current governance framework for major strategic initiatives and recommend potential improvements.
He has also called for a consultation with confederations, national associations and other stakeholders "on how FIFA's decision-making can be further strengthened".
Source: Qatar Tribune
