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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Miguel Delaney

Uefa takes inspiration from European Union in plan to oust Gianni Infantino and reform Fifa

The Uefa-led alliance is exploring plans for the Fifa presidency to be rotated between the confederations so as to reduce the power of the office, should Gianni Infantino eventually be forced out.

The top level of the game remains locked in a civil war from the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, that has since evolved into an attritional conflict to get the Swiss-Italian official out. As Infantino digs in, however, the Uefa and their allies have already been making plans for the future.

Many of the game's leaders gathered in Salzburg this week for the Uefa Super Cup, marking the first time they had been able to meet in a group in person since the Fifa crisis broke.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin is understood to have held several meetings, with the presence of Confederation of African Football chief Patrice Motsepe viewed as especially significant given Caf’s previous backing of Infantino.

Among the subjects understood to have been discussed in Salzburg are plans for an independent review of Fifa's governance, and the drawing up of a policy document to outline the future structure and ideals of the body.

Some sources see it as instructive that this only goes so far as Fifa, rather than the continental confederations. That is partly connected to plans for how the presidency would be rotated among the continental bodies, much like the European Union and similar multinational institutions.

It would essentially mean Fifa could never again have another president with the power of Infantino or his predecessors.

The idea would also be complemented by greatly bolstering the administration around the presidency, so that it would be more like a strong civil service.

Uefa and their allies are said to be focused on a change of leadership and governance at Fifa, as the bare minimum in this crisis.

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