FIFA President Gianni Infantino has written to football chiefs saying he is open to talks about reforming the organisation, while making clear he has no intention of stepping down from his role.
In a letter sent on Monday to the FIFA Council and all 211 member association presidents, Infantino proposed an independent external review of how the governing body makes major decisions.
"First, I will ask the Council whether it wishes to commission an independent external review of FIFA's current governance framework for major strategic initiatives and recommend potential improvements," Infantino wrote in the letter.
He also said he would propose consultations with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on strengthening FIFA's decision-making processes.
The proposals would examine who has a say in major initiatives — including the roles of the president, bureau, council and congress — and how to improve transparency and accountability.
The letter follows a fierce backlash over Infantino's proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA's commercial rights, including the World Cup, to private investors. The plan was abandoned in July after widespread opposition and boycott threats. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf subsequently called for changes to FIFA's leadership.
Infantino said the abandoned plan had explored whether selling a minority stake in a FIFA-controlled commercial company could raise more money for football development, and that it would not have involved giving up control over sporting decisions.
He acknowledged, however, that the proposal had become public before it could be presented in full to the council and member associations.
"I recognise that, without the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. They had not," he wrote.
"It remained a proposal, not a decision, and was always subject to the necessary approvals of the Council and the Member Associations. It has now been withdrawn and will not proceed."
Infantino said he had heard differing views on who should decide major strategic questions. Some favoured requiring unanimous agreement within the bureau, while others wanted such matters put directly to the congress and member associations.
"My role is not to pre-judge that discussion. Those who support a particular model should have the opportunity to set out their case clearly," he wrote.
Suggestions received ahead of the October 15 FIFA Council meeting could be discussed at that session, with later submissions also to be considered within a deadline yet to be specified. Any changes to FIFA's statutes would require congress approval.
Infantino also sought to reassure member associations that their positions on governance matters would have no bearing on their treatment by FIFA, and that development and solidarity programmes would continue under existing rules.
"No association's treatment will depend on its position on any proposal or institutional matter," he wrote.
"I remain fully committed to leading FIFA and confident in what we can achieve together."
