How to fix Fifa: what can be done to salvage football’s beleaguered governing body?

Fifa faces the peculiar challenge of being both the owner of the world’s biggest sporting event and the guardian of football’s rules. That dual role came under fresh scrutiny during the recent World Cup, when the governing body was accused of bending its own regulations – from suspension lengths to half-time durations – to maximise attention for its flagship competition.

According to The Guardian, one person with extensive knowledge of Fifa’s internal workings sees this as a fundamental conflict of interest. “They have shown that they will bend the rules to make them more money,” the source said. “Not only should the commercial and the regulatory parts of Fifa be separated, but so should the development part and possibly one or two others as well.”

The call for structural reform comes after president Gianni Infantino drew widespread criticism for proposing to let private investors take a stake in Fifa’s commercial operations. Critics argue that such a move would deepen the financial entanglements that already compromise the organisation’s credibility.

For those seeking a way forward, the first step appears to be a clear separation of powers. Separating revenue-generating activities from rule-making and development would at least reduce the temptation to prioritise profit over fairness. Whether Fifa’s leadership is willing to accept such a change remains an open question, but the pressure for reform is growing.