SIGA sets out five tests for a review capable of earning trust
The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) takes note of the proposal communicated by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to the FIFA Council and FIFA’s 211 Member Associations to ask the Council whether it wishes to commission an independent external review of FIFA’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives.
This represents a significant opening. It is not yet, however, an established review. The decisive question is now whether the FIFA Council will turn that proposal into a process capable of earning trust.
SIGA is taking a public position because FIFA’s governance is not solely an internal matter. FIFA’s decisions affect 211 Member Associations, the allocation of substantial development funds, the organisation of the world’s leading football competitions and, ultimately, players and supporters across the globe. Where power and responsibility are global, accountability must be credible.
No institution entrusted with significant power should be the sole judge of whether its own governance arrangements are adequate. Independent Scrutiny does not weaken the autonomy of Sport. Properly designed, it protects that autonomy by strengthening trust, accountability and institutional legitimacy.
FIVE TESTS FOR A CREDIBLE INDEPENDENT REVIEW
- INDEPENDENT APPOINTMENT — AND THE RIGHT EXPERTISE
Independence begins before the review begins.
The process for selecting and appointing the reviewer must itself be transparent, credible and protected from undue influence by those whose decisions, powers or conduct may fall within the scope of the review.
The selection criteria should be established in advance and should include demonstrable independence, absence of material conflicts of interest, international governance expertise, specific knowledge of the governance and institutional complexities of global sport, methodological rigour and sufficient operational capacity to conduct a review of FIFA’s scale and complexity.
Reputation alone is not a substitute for independence, expertise and fitness for purpose.
The first test is therefore not simply who conducts the review, but how the reviewer is selected, whether that reviewer is genuinely independent and whether it possesses the expertise required to scrutinise FIFA effectively.
- A MANDATE AS WIDE AS THE QUESTIONS AT STAKE
The review must not be confined to selected projects or procedures. It should examine how major strategic decisions are initiated, assessed, approved and supervised; the respective roles of the President, Bureau, Council, Secretary General and Congress; and the adequacy of FIFA’s checks and balances, consultation, transparency and accountability mechanisms.
The FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal should be examined as a relevant governance case study, without turning the review into a forensic investigation or prejudging individual responsibility.
- FULL ACCESS, FAIR PROCESS AND OBJECTIVE STANDARDS
The reviewers must have timely access to all relevant records, advice, officials, committees and Member Associations. Their assessment should be evidence-based and measured against clear, publicly disclosed governance standards. Those materially affected by the findings must have a fair opportunity to respond before the report is finalised.
- TRANSPARENCY FROM THE OUTSET
FIFA should publish the review’s mandate, terms of reference, methodology, timetable, funding arrangements and the identity and relevant interests of those conducting it. The final report and recommendations should be published in full, subject only to narrowly defined legal and confidentiality restrictions that are clearly explained.
- ACTION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND INDEPENDENT FOLLOW-UP
FIFA should commit in advance to publishing a formal response and a time-bound action plan addressing every recommendation. Each action should have an identified owner, a clear deadline and regular public progress reporting. Implementation should be independently monitored. Recommendations requiring amendments to the FIFA Statutes should be submitted transparently to Congress; those within the authority of the Council or administration should be acted upon without avoidable delay.
The FIFA Council meeting on 15 October therefore presents an opportunity to move beyond acknowledging the need for reform: to establish the review, protect its independence, approve a sufficiently comprehensive mandate and set a clear timetable for publication and implementation.
SIGA does not take sides in institutional disputes, does not prejudge any individual and will not align itself with any electoral or confederation bloc. The same governance standards must apply regardless of who holds office. That is the meaning of independence, neutrality and institutional equidistance.
SIGA stands ready to contribute constructively and impartially through the SIGA Universal Standards on Good Governance in Sport and the SIGA Independent Rating and Verification System (SIRVS). Any contribution by SIGA would be subject to safeguards fully preserving its independence.
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Co-Founder and Global CEO, SIGA, said:
“The test is not whether FIFA announces a review. The test is whether the process can earn trust.”
Independence cannot be declared; it must be guaranteed – through the way the reviewer is selected, the mandate it receives, the access it is given, the standards it applies and the transparency of its findings.
On 15 October, the FIFA Council has an opportunity to move from assurances to accountability. That opportunity must now be matched by action.
— THE END —
ABOUT SIGA
SIGA is the world’s leading organisation for Sport Integrity. We are creating a whole new landscape for the sports industry by delivering independent global rating and certification for world Sport to ensure it is governed and operates under the highest integrity standards: The SIGA Universal Standards.
Funded by our Members, SIGA is a non for profit global independent organisation with one aim: To ensure the sport industry is governed under the highest integrity standards so that the values of sport are protected.
SIGA is the only organisation to bring together sport, governments, academia, international organisations, sponsors, business, rights holders, NGOs and professional services companies, from every region in the world, around a common cause of fostering greater integrity throughout sport.
SIGA is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a non for-profit association, and comprises of the following continental subsidiaries: SIGA AMERICA, SIGA EUROPE and SIGA LATIN AMERICA.
For more information on SIGA, including its vision, mission and reform agenda, please refer to the website: www.siga-sport.com and FAQs.
To contact SIGA, please email: comms@siga-sport.com.
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