Dr François Carrard of Kellerhals Carrard (Lausanne, Switzerland) has been appointed as the independent chairman of the 2016 FIFA Reform Committee. As Director General of the International Olympic Committee, Dr Carrard guided the IOC through its own governance reforms in the wake of the bidding process for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002. An internationally renowned Swiss lawyer, Dr Carrard brings specific experience of the challenges faced by global sports organisations such as FIFA.
Dr Carrard said: “It is vital for the future of global football to restore the integrity and reputation of its governing body. As the independent chairman, I am committed to delivering the necessary package of credible reforms, working with representatives from within football and wider society. To that end, I will establish an independent advisory board, made up of representatives from outside football, to support the work of the committee and provide an additional layer of independent expertise.”
The appointment of Dr Carrard was made following consultation with the six football confederations, each of which have appointed two representatives to the 2016 FIFA Reform Committee.
FIFA President Blatter said: “We believe Dr Carrard is the right person to drive this reform process forward as an independent chairman with a proven track record in governance reforms. We are confident that he can help FIFA to strengthen its governance structures in a credible and meaningful way. FIFA’s commercial partners will also play a key role in the reforms, and we will be discussing with them the most productive way to include their views.”
Over the next six months, the committee will develop a package of reform proposals that will be put before the extraordinary elective Congress due to take place in Zurich on 26 February 2016. The work of the committee will build on the reform work FIFA has undertaken since 2011, including recent proposals developed by its Audit and Compliance Committee.
The Reform Committee will provide a preliminary update to the FIFA Executive Committee at its regular quarterly meeting on 24 and 25 September 2015.
