CONCACAF proposes extensive structural reforms

CONCACAF formally recommended a series of sweeping changes designed to overhaul its structure and protect against corruption and fraud on Monday.

The comprehensive package revealed by the Executive Committee includes the introduction of ethics checks and term limits and the replacement of the current seven-person Executive Committee with a 15-person CONCACAF Council.

CONCACAF members are expected to debate the proposals at the upcoming Extraordinary Congress and vote on the package in Zurich on Feb. 25. Three-quarters of the eligible and present confederation members must vote in favor of the proposals in order to implement them, according to Article 29 of the CONCACAF Statutes.

The proposed changes for the 41-member confederation stemmed from a series of scandals over the past few years -- including the indictments of several senior members of the confederation, including former presidents Alfredo Hawit, Jack Warner and Jeffrey Webb, plus longtime general secretary Chuck Blazer -- and the pressing need to address the structural failures associated with those misdeeds.

In accordance with FIFA recommendations and the CONCACAF reform framework proposed last year, the Executive Committee recommended proposed alterations designed to improve the standards and practices used to conduct business in the confederation.

The final recommendations address some of those deficiencies and include the following proposals to amend existing statutes:

* The adoption of a 15-person CONCACAF Council -- complete with representation from the three geographic unions in the confederation (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) -- to replace the existing Executive Committee.

* The creation of several independent committees to oversee auditing and compliance, compensation, finance and governance.

* The introduction of ethics checks for all candidates for CONCACAF positions, carried out by an independent ethics committee.

* The introduction of term limits -- 12 years, consecutive or non-consecutive -- for CONCACAF Council members and members of independent committees.

* The right to audit member federations to ensure the proper usage of confederation funds doled out for a specific purpose.

* The right to review and approve compensation packages for CONCACAF executives on a yearly basis.