UEFA has given FIFA until November 2 to release documents relating to president Gianni Infantino’s abandoned investment plan for the World Cup and address questions about the organisation’s governance.
The move marks another development in the growing tension between the two football governing bodies after European delegates expressed disappointment over what they considered a lack of clarity from Infantino during a FIFA Council meeting last week.
Infantino did not provide documents concerning the proposed $4.2 billion World Cup investment plan, which he launched in July before abandoning it following strong opposition led by Europe.
UEFA has submitted 42 detailed questions covering several issues, including Infantino’s personal remuneration package, payments to singer Marc Anthony and the handling of United States striker Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case.
The questions also concern 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 has also asked US federal courts to authorise subpoenas compelling the production of documents and sworn testimony concerning the abandoned investment initiative, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise.
FIFA’s lawyers have accused UEFA of harassing Infantino.
In a formal letter signed by UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis on behalf of European members of the FIFA Council, UEFA said Infantino’s apology and subsequent explanation had failed to address its main 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 abandoning the initiative and acknowledging mistakes were not enough to explain how the decisions had been made.
“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.”
UEFA wants FIFA to respond by November 2, 16 days before the deadline for nominations for the organisation’s presidential election scheduled for March 18 next year.
With the next FIFA Council meeting scheduled for December 16 in Doha, after nominations close, UEFA insists the questions must be answered before then.
“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 emphasised.
The earlier deadline would allow national football associations to assess FIFA’s responses, or its failure to respond, while they still have the opportunity to nominate or endorse a challenger in the presidential election.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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