FIFA to undergo major restructuring in order to curb corruption

FIFA to undergo major restructuring in order to curb corruption

Zurich: In a bid to end the ongoing culture of corruption for years now, FIFA approved the implementation of major reforms at a congress on Friday.

Political interference and conflicts of interest in executive decision making are the two factors responsible for leading FIFA into crisis.

The reforms are seen as an effort by this world football federation and include measures adopted by 179 members while 22 voted against and six abstained at the congress in Zurich.

One of the most significant measures includes changes in the role of FIFA's president and its executive committee with the president's job altered to function like a corporate chairman of the board, providing strategic guidance but with less management authority.

We take a look at other reforms which are to be implemented:

  • A replacement for FIFA's disgraced president Sepp Blatter will also be reflected.
  • A committee headed by Swiss lawyer Francois Carrard developed the reforms. Carrard was earlier handed down with a similar cleanup effort at the International Olympic Committee more than a decade ago.
  • Operating similar to a corporate board of directions, FIFA's executive committee has been re-branded as a FIFA council. Also, FIFA's secretary general who previously came second to the president will serve as world football's CEO.
  • Presidential terms along with those of council members will be limited to three consecutive four-year terms only.
  • Keeping in mind the improvement of financial transparency at the multi-billion dollar organisation, several measures were also approved.
  • Revenues and compensation for senior officials will be published while auditing will be more independent and more robust.
  • Considered as bloated and wasteful, the number of commissions has been cut from 26 to 9.
  • The role of women in global football governance to be expanded with at least one woman required on the council of each national federation.

Arguing the period of crisis to be a wrong time to push through a major restructuring, a Palestinian representative desired the congress to lobby against approving the reforms.

These measures were designed to regulate FIFA's top brass authority which faced patronage and waste during Blatter's 18-year term as president. Broadly, the reforms aim to promote "culture change" at FIFA, with more ethical and accountable leadership. (Inputs from Agencies)

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