Noel Mooney questions scope of Infantino’s proposed FIFA governance review

Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney has challenged suggestions that Gianni Infantino's proposed governance review amounts to broad reform of FIFA. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Mooney said the president's letter concerned how strategic projects were discussed and approved, rather than changes to the organisation as a whole.

Watch the highlights:

BBC Sport reported on September 22 that Mooney remained opposed to endorsing Infantino for another term. He also urged FIFA to release more of its reserves to national associations for facilities, arguing that the World Cup did not need private investment. His comments followed the abandonment of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.

According to the Associated Press, Infantino sent his letter on Monday to FIFA Council members and all 211 national associations ahead of the council meeting scheduled for October 15. He said he would ask the council whether it wanted an independent external assessment of governance for major strategic initiatives, alongside a structured consultation with confederations and member associations. The letter outlined proposals, not an already commissioned review.

Emirates News Agency reported that the suggested consultation would examine participation in major decisions and the responsibilities of FIFA's president, bureau, council and congress. Infantino also proposed looking at ways to improve transparency and accountability. Those issues form the stated remit of the process he has put forward, with recommendations for possible improvements rather than a completed package of changes.

In the same letter, as reported by Emirates News Agency, Infantino said FIFA Forward Enterprise had remained a proposal requiring approval from the council and member associations. He confirmed it had been withdrawn and would not proceed. That distinction separated the abandoned investment initiative from the new suggestions for reviewing decision-making procedures.

The BBC reported that the investment plan would have sold stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors. Wales was among the first associations to withdraw support for Infantino's candidacy. He is due to stand for election for a fourth time in March 2027, with opponents facing a November 18 deadline to identify an alternative candidate.