UEFA Demands FIFA Answers Before Election

UEFA has given FIFA until November 2 to answer 42 questions about Gianni Infantino’s presidency and provide documents on an abandoned World Cup investment plan. Presidential nominations close on November 18. Infantino is seeking re-election in the FIFA presidential election on March 18, 2027.

Questions Before Nominations Close

The request came in a letter signed by UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis on behalf of European FIFA Council members. It followed an apology and explanation from Infantino at a FIFA Council meeting, which UEFA said didn’t address its 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.

The letter also challenged how FIFA Forward Enterprise was handled. “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 wasn’t involved at the appropriate stage,” it said.

UEFA said the questions need answers before the next FIFA Council meeting, scheduled for December 16 in Doha, Qatar. That meeting falls after nominations close. “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.

The November 2 deadline gives football federations time to assess FIFA’s response, or the absence of one, while they can still nominate or endorse a challenger. The nomination deadline is November 18.

The Abandoned Investment Plan

The questions concern FIFA Forward Enterprise, an investment plan Infantino launched and quickly abandoned in July. The plan was described as a $4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan and faced strong opposition led by Europe.

Infantino provided no documents about the plan. 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.

The 42 questions also cover Infantino’s personal remuneration package, payments to singer Marc Anthony, and the handling of USA striker Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case. They 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.

Calls for Disclosure and Accountability

The letter said any refusal to provide information should be explained individually. “Any refusal to disclose information or documents should be justified individually, with a clear explanation of the specific grounds relied upon,” it said, according to media reports.

The dispute followed a FIFA Council meeting the previous week. European football officials said they were disappointed by what they regarded as a lack of clarity from Infantino. He apologized to the Council and invited written questions ahead of its next scheduled meeting.

The Independent reported that UEFA had previously called for Infantino to resign over governance concerns about FIFA Forward Enterprise involving private investors. Al Jazeera said it contacted FIFA for comment but received no response.

UEFA’s deadline arrives before federations must decide whether to nominate or endorse a challenger. The election is scheduled for March 18, 2027.