FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed an outside review of how the governing body makes major decisions on Monday, acknowledging in a letter to members that its handling of a now-abandoned ​investment plan had ‌caused concern.

“First, I will ask the Council whether it wishes to commission an independent external ⁠review of FIFA’s current governance framework for major strategic initiatives and recommend potential improvements,” Infantino wrote to the FIFA Council and all 211 member association presidents in ‌a letter seen by Reuters.

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He also said he would propose consultations with confederations, member associations and ⁠other stakeholders on strengthening FIFA’s decision-making.

The proposals would examine who has a say in major initiatives, including the respective roles of the president, Bureau, Council and Congress, and how to improve transparency and accountability.

Infantino ​faced a fierce backlash over his proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA’s commercial ‌rights, including the World Cup, to private investors.

The plan was abandoned in July after opposition and boycott threats, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF subsequently calling for changes to FIFA’s leadership. Infantino said the abandoned plan had explored whether selling ‌a minority stake in a FIFA-controlled commercial company could raise more money for football development.

It would not have involved giving up control over sporting decisions, he said. But ​the proposal became public before it could be presented in full to the Council and member associations, according to Infantino.

“I recognise that, without the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been ​taken. They had not.”

“It remained a proposal, not a decision, and was always subject to the necessary approvals of ​the Council and the Member Associations. It has now been withdrawn and will ​not proceed.”

Infantino’s FIFA re-election bid faces setback as France withdraws support

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Infantino said he had heard differing ideas about who should decide major strategic questions. Some favoured requiring unanimous agreement in the Bureau, while others wanted such matters ​put directly to Congress and the member associations.

“My role is not to pre-judge that discussion. Those who support a particular model should have the opportunity to set out their case clearly,” he wrote.

Suggestions received by the October 15 Council meeting could be discussed there, with later submissions also considered within a deadline yet to be specified.

Any changes to FIFA’s statutes ⁠would need Congress approval. Infantino also said member associations’ positions on proposals or governance matters would not affect their treatment by FIFA, whose development and ⁠solidarity programmes would continue ​under existing rules.

“No association’s treatment will depend on its position on any proposal or institutional matter,” he wrote.

“I remain fully committed to leading FIFA and confident in what we can achieve together.”

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters) 

The Indians made short work of Sri Lanka in their second pool game of the Asian Games men’s hockey competition, coming away with a 16-1 win on Tuesday (September 22). The Indians, who had earlier defeated Indonesia 13-1, now have six points from two matches.

Jugraj Singh made the most of the opportunities he was given from the top of the circle to bolster India’s penalty corner battery ahead of the business end of the Asian Games competition.

The Olympic bronze medalists kept up the momentum through all four quarters against a beleaguered Sri Lankan side who were no match for India despite Suresh Rathnayake managing to manufacture a spectacular lone goal.

Prepped for a repeat Asian Games goalfest, Mandeep Singh set the ball rolling with an early powerful strike from open play, having latched onto Abhishek’s angled pass from the baseline in the fifth minute. Jugraj Singh scored from the top of the circle in the tenth minute off India’s second penalty corner. Refusing to take their feet off the pedal, the Indians swarmed the attacking third with Abhishek getting onto the scoresheet in the 11th minute.

Harmanpreet Singh‘s drag flick was stopped on the line by the post-runner in the 16th minute. The ball trickled into the back of the net, nonetheless. Abhishek then deftly slotted one in past an overworked Tharindu Hendeniya to pile on the misery for Sri Lanka in the 17th minute.

Jugraj Singh scored his second off a penalty corner in the 22nd minute despite his drag-flick being partially stopped by the defender on the goal line.

Harmanpreet Singh’s drag flick caught the foot of the first runner, but the rebound was neatly dispatched by Sukhjeet Singh into an empty net with the Lankan goalie and defence woefully out of position in the 29th minute.

A delectable relay goal materialised for India at the stroke of half-time with Mandeep Singh on the edge of the circle tapping the ball to Dilpreet Singh positioned near the goal, who deftly nudged the ball home.

Manpreet Singh scored India’s ninth goal in the 31st minute before Vivek Prasad got into the act with a powerful tomahawk that crashed into the backboard in the 36th minute.

Taking a crowded goalmouth out of the equation, Sukhjeet Singh and Dilpreet Singh foxed the Lankan deep defence with a couple of quick passes before the latter scored in the 38th minute.

A messy tackle on Mandeep Singh at the goalmouth resulted in a penalty stroke, enabling Jugraj Singh to notch up a hat-trick from the spot in the 42nd minute. Harmanpreet Singh scored from a penalty corner in the 45th minute just before Abhishek created a field goal in the 49th minute.

A delighted Suresh Rathnayake celebrated in the 50th minute, having undone the Indian defence, who appeared to stall in anticipation of an infringement call from the umpire.

Jugraj Singh lofted a penalty stroke into the roof of the net in the 53rd minute before Dilpreet Singh scored his third goal in the 55th minute.

South Korean challenge next up for India in Asian Games men’s hockey

With 2018 Asian Games champions Japan and four-time gold medalists South Korea, both in India’s group, topping the pool will not be a cakewalk for Craig Fulton’s team.While South Korea are no longer the force they once were (having not won a gold medal since 2006), the Indians themselves have slipped down the rankings following back-to-back poor showings in the Pro League and FIH World Cup.

Thursday’s encounter against South Korea hence assumes a lot of significance for the Indians both with regard to group placings and the morale of the team ahead of the crucial knockout stages of the Asian Games.