MIAMI, United States (CMC) – CONCACAF has announced sweeping changes to the way it does business in a desperate attempt to salvage its reputation after some of its leading officials were placed at the centre of a FIFA corruption scandal.

The body that governs football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean has announced that it has approved expansive reform measures proposed by a three-man special committee.

The confederation says the reforms, unanimously approved by CONCACAF’s Executive Committee at a weekend meeting in Canada, aim to strengthen its management and operations.

“These reforms are intended to apply best practices for sound corporate governance to CONCACAF’s business operations,” CONCACAF said.

“This Reform Framework reflects CONCACAF’s commitment to strengthening our governance, management, and operations.”

Reforms include independent members on the eight-member executive committee (Exco), not affiliated with any football-related activities, term limits on all members of the Exco, including the president and full publication of senior officials’ salaries.

Other changes include full publication of CONCACAF’s annual financial statements and budget, a “pre-approved” vendor system for all contracts with CONCACAF to prevent fraud, the appointment of a chief compliance officer and the setting up of a whistleblower hotline.

“In implementing the Reform Framework, the Confederation will demonstrate to its fans, sponsors, member associations and other stakeholders that CONCACAF is resilient and devoted to managing, developing, and promoting the game with accountability and transparency,” CONCACAF said.

Former CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb was among six soccer officials arrested and detained by Swiss police pending extradition at the request of US authorities in May.

The case involves bribes totalling more than $100 million linked to commercial deals dating back to the 1990s for soccer tournaments in the United States and Latin America.