Domenico Scala, FIFA Audit Chairman, Resigns: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee chairman Domenico Scala resigned from the position Saturday.

Rob Harris of the Associated Press reported the decision comes as a protest to new FIFA President Gianni Infantino taking control of the governing body's independent panels.

The AP's Graham Dunbar provided further background information about the resignation:

Dan Roan of BBC Sport passed along a statement from Scala concerning the decision to give the FIFA Council power over supervisory bodies:

FIFA released a statement on the decision:

"

FIFA accepts Domenico Scala’s resignation as Chairman of the Audit & Compliance Committee with immediate effect.

FIFA regrets that Mr. Scala has misinterpreted the purpose of the decision taken by the FIFA Congress. The decision was made to permit the Council to appoint members on an interim basis to the vacant positions of the new committees so they can start fulfilling their roles as part of the ongoing reform process until the next FIFA Congress in 2017. In addition, the measure allows for the swift removal of members who have breached their obligations.

The Council fully respects the independence of the Audit and Compliance and the Ethics committees, and any suggestions to the contrary are without merit.

Mr. Scala has made unfounded claims which are baseless. FIFA is focused on reform and the path forward as evidenced by the appointment of a new FIFA Secretary General.

"

Last November, Scala spoke out about FIFA's issues, stating, per RTE Sport: "We have to accept that corruption is systemic in football. If we accept it is systemic, we can start to do something about it. If we deny it, we dismiss the problem."

His exit comes after the first FIFA Congress featuring Infantino at president. The former general secretary of UEFA was elected to the post back in February with hope he could bring much-needed reform to the corruption-laden federation.

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA head Michel Platini were banned from football for six years for a "conflict of interest" regarding an alleged 2 million Swiss franc payment, per ESPN FC.

Ultimately, the resignation by Scala showcases the difficulty in getting FIFA back on track. Infantino was hired to ensure those working below him act in a moral manner, but efforts to increase power left the chairman of a key independent panel feeling hamstrung by the new rules and regulations.

It's unclear who will fill the void on the Audit and Compliance Committee, but it probably won't be the last disagreement as the governing body attempts to regain the faith of football fans around the world.