FIFA intends to bring in a new independent ethics committee and to introduce fully professional referees in a bid to fight widespread corruption within the game.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter said that the creation of the committee would be proposed at the 56th FIFA Congress in Munich on June 7 and 8.
“This will be our main proposal,” he said.
The new committee will act independently of the FIFA executive committee, which largely runs the game in most other areas.
“Every time, where you see circles drawn, you know that the referee is at the heart of it,” Blatter added.
Blatter said that it was important for professional referees to be introduced for all of the leading leagues.
“A man who is professional is more difficult to intimidate,” said Blatter.
Every player, referee and official at the World Cup has been asked to sign a pledge against racism and “insider” betting.
Additional proposals include the introduction of a global information-gathering process on club ownership and control, greater control of transfers and players’ agents and the launch of an ‘early warning system’ on betting issues.
A proposal to restrict the number of clubs in professional leagues to 18 and to consider an insurance mechanism to resolve problems for players in ‘club v country’ insurance disputes was also carried forward for the Congress, said Blatter.
Blatter is also keen to see the number of clubs in each league restricted to 18.
“That cut from 20 to 18, or from 38 to 34 games is very important,” said Blatter. “Those four more dates are very important for the players, the clubs and the fans. There is a danger of too much football for us all.”
