Markus Kattner is asked about a briefing held last with select members of the media and whether such actions are 'divisive.'

Yet Nicholas Maingot responds: "It's in no way that, it's related to communication activities and we can answer that offline later."

The question: "Last May it was decided to do nothing about changing the format of the World Cup, why did you throw in this surprise move to propose an expansion to 40 teams?

Francois Carrard answers: "The executive committee took up the discussion of a possible increase for the 2026 World Cup within the framework of its approach to enlarging the participation  of teams.

"After quite deep discussion it was felt this recommendation should be brought up. It's not up to the reform committee to make any decision, that is why this was proposed and the executive committee was receptive to that proposal."

Issa Hayatou is asked directly: "Are you corrupt?"

He responds "I've never received a franc, a dollar, to make me vote in the organisation of the World Cup."

Image source, Reuters

The panel are now taking questions from the floor, with the first about whether Fifa are concerned that the arrests of members may overshadow their attempts at reform.

Issa Hayatou responds: "Fifa doesn't control justice. The police are leading their enquiries, we are leading our reform. We have no authority over the police, either Swiss or American."

Carrard adds the reform committee are proposing 'more liaison' between Fifa's top brass and its base, including the appointment of a chief compliance officer.

"Within the general secretariat we will introduce the new office of a chief compliance officer to monitor and check the governance," he said.

The reform committee chairman also appears to lend  his support to the idea of expanding the World Cup to 40 teams.

"This is not within our remit but the executive committee has been extremely receptive to the idea and will take later decisions," he added.

"But it will help enlarge participation."

FIFA Executive Committee member Moya Dodd is speaking now about women in Fifa. 

She starts off appealing to the social media generation: "Women in Fifa. Yes, that's a hashtag, been seen by millions online.

"There has been a chorus of voices. We've seen a deluge of support from people in football and beyond. From Billie Jean King to UN women. Voices have been raised calling for gender balance. Why? Because it's 2015, it's fair, and diversity leads to better decisions."

Image source, Getty Images

She then expands upon what changes are set to be made, including the mandatory minimum of six women on the Fifa council, and that the promotion and development of women's football should be on Fifa's statues.

She finishes off by saying "In football terms, we had a team meeting, and decided to play a compact block to protect the goal."

Francois Carrard, chairman of the 2015 Fifa reform committee, says an independent advisory group will be set up during the reform process.  

Carrard says that the group will "accompany, for a time, the reform process itself and come with improvement and further suggestion."

"I expect that group to be active in January," he adds

In closing, Carrard says that the changes shows that Fifa is "totally committed to this reform process."

"I'm aware that the road will be difficult, the challenge is there and the task is by far not finished," he says. "It's only the beginning, but Fifa is showing today its determination by sanctioning the proposals and showing clear will for reform."

Carrard also explains the reasoning behind the decision to limit the terms of office to 12 years.

"We've had lengthy discussions and debates to come out with the proposal of a maximum of three terms of four years," he said.

"We've not put in an age limit because an age limit is by definition arbitrary.

"Some people are completely dumb and dull by 50 years old, some are brilliant aged 85.

"The key thing is to seek the renewal of the offices so we've reached an absolute consensus that is realistic and fair - 12 years for the terms of office."

We now move on to finances. Key financial decisions are to be made by the finance, development and governance committees, which will have a minimum number of independent members and whose activities will be audited by the fully independent Audit and Compliance Committee

Congress will set the general framework with regards to outgoings, says chairman Francois Carrard, while the council will define policies. A development committee will allocate funds to individual projects. 

You can watch the Fifa news conference live by clicking on the link above.

For those of you who are keen to know the key issues of Francois Carrard's proposed reforms, you can see the slides from his PowerPoint presentation here., external

Image source, Fifa

Image source, Fifa

Carrard outlines the changes aimed at increasing the representation of women throughout the structure of Fifa.

"Everyone says you must reduce and have a smaller board but that's not what we want," he said.

"If we want to enlarge participation at all levels we must increase participation in the board so the universal prinicples of Fifa can be enacted throughout

"Under the Fifa statutes there is only one woman who can be elected which is something out of the time. 

"We propose each continent must have at least one woman in the future council so instead of one we shall have six women.

"Six is a minimum and nothing prevents the election of further women."

This news conference can only be likened to a lecture fronted by an amusing grandfather. 

Francois Carrard, chairman of the 2015 Fifa reform committee, explains there will be a separation of political and management functions. 

The Fifa Council (replacing the FIFA Executive Committee) will be responsible for setting the organisation’s overall strategic direction, while the general secretariat will oversee the operational and commercial actions required to effectively execute that strategy.

Image source, BBC Sport

Written on the screen behind Francois Carrard, chairman of the 2015 reform committee, are the words: Leadership, governance and participation - the three principles of Fifa's governance reform. 

"Greater participation at all levels, and greater participation of women at all stages," says Carrard.

Carrard also highlighted the "impressive unanimity" of the Fifa executive committee in approving the entire packing of reforms.

"It was impressive this morning to see all members without exception supporting and showing their determination to carry out this reform process," he added.

"This unanimous consensus is not such a simple fact because when this committee was appointed, it was challenged and criticised as not indenepdent.

"But I accepted the challenge because reform must be made from within and not just from without."

Image source, BBC Sport

Francois Carrard continues: "We are far from finished, this is only the beginning of a new era, a new process, but it's a very important step today."

Looking up at the screen behind him, he says that there will be a slideshow - adding that he's allergic to slides. Even in crisis, there's time for jokes. 

Carrard has delivered an, er, interesting train metaphor to explain the next step in the reform process.

"We've been working very hard since our appointment in August to deliver this report today and what I consider the beginning of a full reform process," he said.

"This status can be compared to a train which is leaving the station with the main engine starting and the train is on the track.

"The next first station will be an important one, which is the congress in February and there will be further stations along the course of the train."

Got that? Great.

Francois Carrard, chairman of 2015 Fifa reform committee, says this is an opportunity for Fifa to change.  

"We've had a very important step this morning," he says. "I think it is also the beginning of a very important process so that Fifa can renew itself.

"We wall know that Fifa is going through a major crisis, as we also all know a crisis is a unique opportunity for a change, for renewal and for commencing a new period of its very rich history."

Image source, BBC Sport

You can watch the Fifa news conference live by clicking 'live coverage' above.

More from Fifa acting president Issa Hayatou: "I have spoken to the candidates for the presidency of Fifa, and I am encouraged that they are aware of the need for reform and to implement all necessary measures for Fifa."

Image source, Getty Images