UEFA Demands FIFA Answers Before Infantino Election

UEFA has demanded 42 answers from FIFA about Gianni Infantino’s presidency and documents on an abandoned World Cup investment plan. It set a November 2 deadline, before presidential nominations close. The demand puts FIFA’s leadership under scrutiny while federations still have time to decide whether to nominate or endorse a challenger to Infantino, who is seeking re-election.

The letter, signed by UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis on behalf of European FIFA Council members, says Infantino’s apology and explanation at a FIFA Council meeting didn’t resolve their 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.

The complaint focuses on who made decisions and who was left out. “The withdrawal of FFE, the recognition of mistakes, and the announcement of ‘potential governance reforms’ do not answer how the relevant decisions were taken or why the FIFA Council was not involved at the appropriate stage,” the letter said. It also called for FIFA to justify any refusal to disclose documents individually, explaining the specific grounds.

Who gets to decide

The 42 questions cover Infantino’s personal remuneration package, payments to singer Marc Anthony, and the handling of USA striker Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case. They also ask about business and political relationships involving US President Donald Trump and his family, as well as the operational independence of FIFA’s judicial, electoral and ethics committees.

UEFA says the answers can’t wait until the next FIFA Council meeting, scheduled for December 16 in Doha, Qatar. By then, nominations will have closed. “These questions require answers now. They cannot be deferred until the next meeting of the FIFA Council — nor can future governance reforms substitute for scrutiny of decisions already taken and accountability for them,” the letter said.

The dispute centres on FIFA Forward Enterprise, an investment plan Infantino launched and quickly abandoned in July amid strong opposition led by Europe. The plan was described as a $4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan. Infantino provided no documents about it, and UEFA has asked US federal courts to authorize subpoenas compelling the production of documents and sworn testimony.

Documents, deadlines, and power

The timetable matters. FIFA must respond by November 2; presidential candidate nominations close November 18; and the FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 18, 2027. UEFA says federations should have the response—or know it hasn’t arrived—while they can still consider nominating or endorsing a challenger. The November deadline turns a dispute over internal governance into a test of what information those with a vote can actually see before the election process moves on.

FIFA lawyers have accused UEFA of harassing Infantino. Al Jazeera said it contacted FIFA for comment but received no response. The competing claims leave the central demand hanging: UEFA wants the documents and explanations before the next scheduled council meeting, while FIFA’s lawyers reject the pressure as harassment.

The dispute followed a FIFA Council meeting the previous week, where European football officials said they were disappointed by what they regarded as a lack of clarity from Infantino. The Independent reported that UEFA had previously called for Infantino to resign over governance concerns about FIFA Forward Enterprise involving private investors. Infantino apologized to the FIFA Council and invited written questions ahead of the next scheduled meeting. UEFA’s letter says that invitation and promises of future reform aren’t a substitute for answers about decisions already taken.