FIFA refuses to be drawn on Scala speculation

FIFA is refusing to be drawn on reports Domenico Scala is to be installed as the chair of its new reform taskforce.

World football’s governing body confirmed on Monday that a new 11-man team would be to set up to propose reforms in order to tackle corruption within the organisation.

FIFA had said the chair would be neutral, but widespread reports have indicated that Scala, who is chairman of its Audit and Compliance Committee, is set to be given the job.

However, when contacted by Omnisport, a FIFA spokesperson said the appointment was a “work in progress”.

Talk of Scala taking the role has been met with disapproval by advocacy group ‘New FIFA Now’.

“The notion that Mr Scala is independent is laughable,” Jaime Fuller of New FIFA Now told the BBC.

“The cynical attempts to portray this ridiculous plan as having any semblance of independence should not be a surprise to anyone after the litany of previous efforts to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.

“If [president] Mr [Sepp] Blatter and FIFA are allowed to get away with this it will be a huge travesty of justice.”

Nine FIFA officials were among 14 people indicted on charges of racketeering conspiracy and corruption in May, with Blatter announcing his intention to step down six days later.