Enact FIFA reforms to clean up world football

NAIROBI: Global football may have hit a winning penalty by endorsing a raft of reforms. Yesterday, FIFA member associations approved landmark reforms that will significantly improve football governance.

The reforms include a clear separation of commercial and political decision-making, greater scrutiny of senior officials and commitments to promoting women in football and human rights.

Currently, FIFA says it is committed to respecting human rights and constantly works on its policies and processes as well as on its organisational and event management systems to ensure human rights risks are better addressed.

However, treatment of construction workers in Qatar, which is slated to host 2022 FIFA World Cup, has in the past raised questions about the soccer world governing body’s commitment to human rights. Yesterday’s reform vote was supported by 179 of the 207 member associations, present and eligible to vote at the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich.

The reforms, put before the Congress by the Executive Committee in the form of draft FIFA Statutes, represent an essential step towards the modernisation of the governing body’s institutional culture in key areas.

These areas include term limits, the disclosure of individual compensation, statutory principles of good governance for member associations and confederations, such as compulsory annual independent audit reports, as well as independent judicial bodies to ensure a separation of powers on all levels of football structures.