FIFA President Gianni Infantino has written to the FIFA Council and member associations proposing an independent external review of how major decisions are made and a consultation on strengthening decision-making—including the president’s role—after the collapse of his Forward Enterprise investment plan triggered a governance backlash.

In the letter, covered by BBC Sport and RNZ, Infantino said he had taken time to listen and that an independent process would “recommend potential improvements,” with practical ideas for transparency, participation, and accountability on strategic initiatives. The Council is due to meet in Zurich on Oct. 15. He insisted Forward Enterprise “did not involve relinquishing FIFA’s control” over sporting decisions, argued the proposal entered public view before full institutional process, and said democratic processes and sporting authority “were never for sale.” He remains “fully committed” to leading FIFA and plans to stand for a fourth term in March 2027; challengers have until Nov. 18 to emerge.

The aborted plan envisioned a company managing commercial and ticketing rights for FIFA competitions, including World Cups, with about 21% sold to private investors. UEFA and Concacaf demanded FIFA pay $10 million to each of 211 members from reserves; FA chair Debbie Hewitt called for document release and an independent review of FFE; UEFA began preparing U.S. criminal proceedings, which FIFA called a smear. BBC analysis cast Infantino’s tone as a survival compromise before the Council meeting, noting he has not yet agreed to a parallel review specifically of FFE and that critics still want term limits, clearer separation of president and administration, and cash redistribution. Whether the external review’s terms of reference satisfy confederations will shape whether the gesture eases or prolongs the crisis.