Major football dev't reforms to top FIFA Extraordinary Congress

FIFA is set to begin its 66th Extraordinary Congress in Mexico City following months of turbulence. It will be the first under its newly elected president Gianni Infantino.

The congress comes just a few weeks after the new FIFA statutes came into force, flagging a wide range of reforms designed to help football’s governing body win back public trust.

“I believe we are standing on the edge of an exciting new era for FIFA and for football. I believe we can unite to put FIFA back in its rightful place as the governing body of the world’s most popular sport. I look forward to working with you all in bringing this vision to life,” read a statement released by Gianni Infantino.

The Congress will start on Friday at the Centro Banamex, and will bring together all the 209 member associations.

Governance reforms approved by the Extraordinary Congress in February and FIFA’s plans to enhance football development will be high on the agenda.

Among the topics scheduled for the Congress are; the beginning of the process of FIFA reforms; ratification of the budget for the period 2015-2018, as well as the possibility of admitting Kosovo in FIFA as a member state.

The former Serbian province of Kosovo narrowly won a vote at the UEFA congress last week to secure membership to the European body.

Another key area for discussion will be the election or dismissal of members of the judicial committees for audit, compliance and governance.