Finnish, Swedish and Danish federations ask EU to discuss FIFA governance
The football federations of Finland, Sweden and Denmark have asked European Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef to hold a meeting on concerns over FIFA governance. This was reported by the Korea Herald, citing Reuters and sources directly familiar with the situation.
According to Reuters sources, the letter was signed by Finnish Football Association president Ari Lahti, Jesper Møller of Denmark and Simon Åström of Sweden. The European Commissioner's office confirmed to Reuters that it had received the request. However, it is not yet known whether Micallef will agree to the proposed meeting in Brussels.
Questions regarding FIFA
According to the sources, the federations raised issues of transparency, consultation and decision-making at FIFA. They paid particular attention to the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, which was later abandoned.
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The plan envisaged attracting private investors to a new FIFA commercial structure that was to own rights related to competitions, including the World Cup. According to Reuters, the initiative caused discontent in the football community and prompted opponents of FIFA president Gianni Infantino to discuss the possibility of a no-confidence vote.
Appeal by Nordic associations
In the federations' view, the potential acquisition by private investors of stakes in FIFA competitions and commercial activities, as well as what they consider insufficient transparency and consultation around the project, raise broader questions about control over the future of world football.
The letter also mentions the response to the attempt to launch the European Super League in 2021 as an example of coordination between European football bodies and politicians to protect the current model of the sport. Last month, six Nordic associations — from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands — said they had lost confidence in Infantino and called for an independent investigation into FIFA Forward Enterprise and an external review of FIFA's governance system.
