Axed FIFA Official Says Removal Came After Internal Pressure

Miguel Maduro, the corporate governance expert removed by FIFA just eight months after being hired to lead an oversight group, said that he "resisted internal pressure" at the "beleaguered" football body before his ouster, according to Tariq Panja of BLOOMBERG. Maduro was hired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Maduro said, "When you have someone in an independent position that is replaced after a few months that sends a negative message regarding the independence of that office." Maduro, a former Portuguese government minister, said that he had proposed changes, such as suggesting that FIFA’s main governance positions "should be for fixed terms and not subject to elections as is currently the case." FIFA declined to comment. A spokesperson said that Infantino addressed the issue at Thursday's press conference. Infantino said that Maduro was not retained because FIFA "needed a greater international mix on its judiciary committees" (BLOOMBERG, 5/12).