UEFA Demands FIFA Answers on Infantino’s Governance

UEFA has demanded that FIFA answer 42 questions about Gianni Infantino’s presidency and provide documents on an abandoned World Cup investment plan by November 2, before nominations open for the next presidential election. Infantino is seeking re-election in the vote scheduled for March 18, 2027.

European football officials want answers before federations decide whether to nominate or endorse a challenger. Presidential nominations close on November 18. UEFA says FIFA can’t wait until its next Council meeting, scheduled for December 16 in Doha, Qatar.

Questions FIFA has yet to answer

UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis signed the letter on behalf of European FIFA Council members. It said Infantino’s apology and explanation at a FIFA Council meeting hadn’t addressed their central 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 42 questions cover Infantino’s personal remuneration package, payments to singer Marc Anthony, and FIFA’s 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.

“These questions require answers now. They can’t 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. It added that FIFA should justify any refusal to disclose documents individually and explain the specific grounds.

The abandoned investment plan

The questions concern 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 the plan, according to the base article. UEFA has asked US federal courts to authorize subpoenas compelling FIFA to produce documents and provide sworn testimony. FIFA lawyers have claimed UEFA is harassing Infantino.

Al Jazeera said it contacted FIFA for comment but received no response. The dispute followed a FIFA Council meeting the previous week, when European football officials said they were disappointed by what they regarded as Infantino’s lack of clarity.

Election timetable puts pressure on FIFA

The Independent reported that UEFA had previously called for Infantino to resign over governance concerns about FIFA Forward Enterprise involving private investors. At the Council meeting, Infantino apologized and invited written questions ahead of the next scheduled meeting on December 16.

UEFA set November 2 as the deadline for answers and documents, 16 days before presidential nominations close. The letter says FIFA shouldn’t postpone the questions until after that deadline. The November response date gives football federations time to assess what FIFA provides—or whether it provides anything—while they can still nominate or endorse a challenger.

The presidential election is scheduled for March 18, 2027. Infantino is seeking re-election. UEFA’s demand puts scrutiny of the abandoned plan, the requested documents and unanswered governance questions before FIFA’s members as the nomination deadline approaches.