Within an hour of being elected as President of FIFA Gianni Infantino was under attack from FIFPRO, the worldwide players union.
Infantino is best known as being the face of the Champions League draw having risen through the ranks of UEFA overseeing the development of the Champions League and the European Championships grow to include 32 countries.
The election to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter involved a world tour of pressing flesh and making promises to Associations worldwide with players and supporters excluded from the process.
Shortly after the election results were announced a statement on the players union website read: “FIFPro takes a dim view of today’s FIFA election that leaves the new President, Gianni Infantino, entrenched in a governance structure and culture that is open to corrupt practices.
“Despite a package of reforms approved today by FIFA, FIFPro fears placing increased power in the hands of FIFA’s 209 member associations lies at the heart of the problem. These organisations are not representative of the game and, yet, wield enormous influence over issues that affect key stakeholders such as the players, fans, clubs and leagues. The newly-adopted reforms failed to address the fundamental issue of making football authorities accountable to the game’s most important actors.
“FIFA’s system of governance has been based on favour swapping and financial inducements, not to mention obstructing external oversight from governments and the game’s key stakeholders. The players, much like the clubs, leagues and fans, were ignored in the latest reform effort and today’s governance review will not suffice to address FIFA’s inherent governance shortcomings.
“FIFPro is deeply concerned for the 65,000 professional male and female footballers we represent as their rights are often blatantly overlooked and exploited as a result of FIFA’s monopolistic structure.”
FIFPro Secretary-General Theo van Seggelen said, “The structure in place still does not allow football authorities to be held accountable by some of the game’s most important stakeholders.
“Genuine reform would ensure players, clubs and leagues have a fair and proportionate share of power in running the game, to create binding decisions on all issues that affect them.”
FIFPro President Philippe Piat added, “The reforms entrench and reward the 209 member associations and six confederations despite their complicity in the corruption and scandals that continue to plague football.
“Key stakeholders – including the players, fans, leagues and clubs – remain marginalised, preventing FIFA from being accountable.
“We desperately need these checks and balances, a modern and inclusive FIFA, not a continuation of FIFA’s monopoly on power. Another, more sweeping wave of reform is urgently required.”
