Infantino crisis shows football needs independent non-exec, says ex-Fifa advisor

Former Fifa and Uefa advisor Ebru Koksal argues that world football requires independent non-executive directors, following the recent crisis at the top of the sport. Current Fifa president Gianni Infantino faces calls to resign over his secret plans to sell stakes in a commercial entity managing the World Cup, which would attract private investors including Donald Trump's family.

Senior Fifa officials denounced the plan and highlighted the lack of consultation before its leaked two weeks ago. Koksal, chair of Women in Football, believes global sport would benefit from stronger board governance and more independent decision-making. She suggests that having experienced non-executive directors from outside the football ecosystem, such as a former FTSE 100 CEO, would bring valuable governance, strategy, risk management, and organizational transformation expertise.

Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan has sparked controversy and questions about why Fifa needs to raise capital when it has billions in reserves. Koksal, a former Wall Street investment banker, notes that the governance concerns surrounding the plan add to a list of red flags for Infantino's presidency, including disputes with leagues, clubs, and player unions over expanding Fifa competitions and commercializing the tournament.

The crisis has prompted Women in Football to relaunch its Open Doors Agenda, which advocates for better governance, including transparent recruitment, term limits, and clear reporting systems to ensure accountability.