UEFA has told FIFA to hand over documents on the aborted investment plan championed by its president, Gianni Infantino, by November 2. The European body’s demand also covers other governance issues and marks a fresh escalation in the power struggle between the global and continental governing bodies.
The move was disclosed on Monday, only days after European football’s leading officials said they had been left dissatisfied by what they saw as a lack of clarity from Infantino at a FIFA Council meeting the previous week.
Questions over the dropped World Cup sell-off plan
Infantino launched a $4.2bn plan to sell off parts of the World Cup in July, then dropped it quickly after a strong backlash led by Europe. He has not provided any documents about it, according to UEFA.
UEFA has put 42 questions to FIFA. Among them are Infantino’s personal pay package, financial payments made to singer Marc Anthony, and how FIFA handled the disciplinary case of USA striker Folarin Balogun. The list also asks about business and political ties involving US President Donald Trump and his family, and whether FIFA’s judicial, electoral and ethics committees operate independently.
UEFA turns to US courts for subpoenas
UEFA has asked US federal courts to approve subpoenas that would compel the production of documents and sworn testimony about the abandoned investment plan, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise.
FIFA’s lawyers have argued that UEFA is harassing Infantino. FIFA did not respond to a request for comment.
Letter says apology and explanations fall short
The formal letter was signed by UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis on behalf of European FIFA Council members. It said Infantino’s apology for his actions and his later explanation did not address their core concerns.
“These explanations have not begun satisfactorily to address a number of fundamental questions raised by Council members. Others remain unanswered, and the information and documentation requested have not been [provided],” the letter said. It added that the withdrawal of the plan, the admission of mistakes and the promise of “potential governance reforms” did not explain how the decisions were made or why the FIFA Council was not involved at the appropriate stage.
The deadline falls 16 days before the nomination deadline for the presidential election on March 18, 2027. The next FIFA Council meeting is scheduled for December 16 in Doha, Qatar, which is after nominations close. “These questions require answers now,” the letter emphasised, adding that they “cannot be deferred” to that meeting. An earlier reply would give federations time to judge FIFA’s answers, or its silence, while they can still nominate or endorse a challenger.
