Gianni Infantino unveils his plan to save Fifa in presidential election manifesto
Fifa’s image repair campaign has begun with presidential candidate Gianni Infantino unveiling his election manifesto which places emphasis on “rebuilding trust” at the controversial plagued organisation.
Infantino outlined his vision to create an improved governance and democracy at the scandal hit governing body as he unveiled a raft of changes which he says are focused on creating a “much stronger transparency in financial management.”
The Swiss candidate said his ideas were based on “three fundamental pillars – Reforms and Good Governance, Democracy and Participation and Football Development. These are for me the major priorities for action."
"Clearly rebuilding trust in FIFA is key and it is imperative that the organisation, and everyone linked to it, embraces reforms to ensure FIFA becomes a modern, credible and transparent world governing body.
"These reforms have to be both structural and cultural and we need to have much stronger transparency in financial management."
His reform measures included the creation of a "new FIFA Council; term limits for FIFA serving officials, including the President; the appointment of independent voices to key FIFA Committees; remuneration transparency for senior FIFA members; the appointment of a Chief Compliance Officer; and a fully open tendering process for commercial and operational contracts."
He said that taken together, the changes would put FIFA on the path towards restored credibility and integrity.
The 45 year-old also proposed major changes to the World Cup when he said that "Fifa should investigate the possibility of organising the World Cup not only in one or two countries but in a whole region, so enabling several countries to enjoy the honour and benefits of hosting the World Cup."
Infantino will be going up against Prince Ali, Jerome Champagne, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa and Tokyo Sexwale to land the FIFA presidency which will be decided on 26 February.