Football Australia chair frames Fifa governance disputes as growing pains
Football Australia chair Anter Isaac has described recent disputes over Fifa’s leadership and governance as “growing pains”, signalling support for the organisation’s current direction. His comments come as Gianni Infantino appears to be regaining backing ahead of March’s Fifa presidential election, despite criticism of his plans for the sport’s commercial rights.
Fifa’s revenues have risen sharply across recent World Cup cycles, Isaac said, while its systems and processes may not have kept pace. Football Australia called for “clear and credible action” over the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise, which was later abandoned; Uefa has since asked Fifa to explain the proposal and other concerns. Isaac said it was premature to discuss whether he would support Infantino.
- Isaac calls Fifa’s disputes “growing pains”.
- Infantino appears to be rebuilding support ahead of March’s election.
- Football Australia previously sought credible action over Fifa’s rights proposal.
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Fifa is the international body that governs football and organises the men’s and women’s World Cups. Its president leads the organisation, while national associations such as Football Australia and regional bodies such as Uefa help shape its decisions.
Fifa earns much of its income from major tournaments and the commercial rights connected to them. As its revenues have grown, questions have been raised about whether its rules and decision-making systems have kept pace, and about how proposed changes to commercial arrangements would be overseen.
The disputes matter because Fifa’s decisions affect how the sport is run and how income from its biggest events is managed. National associations also have a role in choosing the president, so their views can influence the organisation’s leadership.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Football Australia chair Anter Isaac dismisses recent Fifa ructions as ‘growing pains’”.