Term limits, integrity checks part of FIFA reform plans

FIFA reformer Domenico Scala went public with his proposals to clean up football’s governing body, proposing term limits, tougher integrity checks on officials and fewer committees as part of a far-reaching eight-point plan.

The plan comprises a comprehensive and radical set of reforms but it remains far from clear whether they will even be voted upon.

Scala, the independent head of FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee made public his eight-point plan to change the way FIFA is governed in the wake of the May arrests of seven football officials and marketing executives in Zurich.

He proposed limiting officials to a maximum of 12-years in office, publishing their football-related earnings and changing the way in which the all-powerful executive committee is elected.

Scala has already presented his plan to FIFA’s executive committee and a new reform committee which was set up in July.

He said it was up to the executive committee to decide whether or not to recommend the plan to FIFA’s Congress which will make the final decision on whether to adopt the proposals.

FIFA will be holding its presidential elections on February 26 next year after Sepp Blatter announced his decision to step down just four days after winning a fifth term in the office.

The unexpected resignation came amid one of the most controversial episodes in FIFA’s history.

Seven high-ranking FIFA officials were arrested ahead of the football governing body’s meeting in May this year.

Swiss authorities had launched a separate criminal investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups that are set to be held in Russia and Qatar.