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A new crisis looms at Fifa as 'consternated' key reform figure resigns in protest

Domenico Scala had been in charge of the organisation’s Audit and Compliance Committee.

WHEN GIANNI INFANTINO was elected as the new Fifa president, it was thought that the embattled, chaotic organisation was set for a new, transparent and controversy-free era.

But that hasn’t been the case.

Despite crucial proposals being passed at the end of February, key reform figure Domenico Scala today announced his resignation from the governing body in protest against a decision that was taken at Fifa congress on Friday.

It was decided that the new Fifa council – which replaced the massively-criticised Executive Committee – now has the power to hire and fire key personnel involved in various supervisory bodies. These include the Ethics Committee, Governance Committee and Audit and Compliance Committee.

Scala, who had been in charge of the latter, has now stepped down with immediate effect after admitting to being left ‘consternated’ by the decision.

Soccer FIFA Investigation Scala Domenico Scala, pictured here in December 2014. Associated Press Associated Press

“With this decision, it will henceforth be possible for the Council to impede investigations against single members at any time, by dismissing the responsible Committee members or by keeping them acquiescent through the threat of dismissal”, he said.

“Thereby, those bodies are factually deprived of their independence and are in danger of becoming auxiliary agents of those whom they should actually supervise.

I am consternated about this decision, because it undermines a central pillar of the good governance of Fifa and it destroys a substantial achievement of the reforms. For this reason, I herewith declare my immediate resignation as President of the Audit and Compliance Committee of Fifa.”

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