UEFA Awaits FIFA Response to 42 Questions Over Infantino Decisions

UEFA was still awaiting a substantive reply from FIFA on Monday as a Nov. 2 deadline approached for answers to 42 questions concerning Gianni Infantino’s presidency and decisions taken by the world governing body.

The questions were submitted on behalf of UEFA representatives on the FIFA Council after members raised issues directly with Infantino during the Council meeting on Oct. 15. The next Council session is not scheduled until Dec. 16.

Quick facts

• UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis sent the consolidated questions to FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom on Oct. 19.
• The European FIFA Council members requested detailed replies by Nov. 2.
• As of midday Central European Time on Monday, no response had been received.
• Issues include the shelved private-investment proposal for World Cup commercial operations, the Folarin Balogun disciplinary case and possible conflicts of interest.
• FIFA’s presidential election is due in March, with candidates required to enter by Nov. 18.

Theodoridis’ letter sought information about Infantino’s abandoned proposal to bring private investment into a company responsible for the World Cup’s commercial business. It also requested disclosure of documents connected to the disciplinary case involving United States forward Folarin Balogun.

European Council members additionally asked FIFA for explanations and assurances over potential conflicts of interest. Theodoridis said the matters required immediate clarification rather than being postponed until a later Council meeting.

“These questions require answers now,” Theodoridis wrote. He added that future governance changes could not replace examination of decisions already made or accountability for them.

Debbie Hewitt, the Football Association chair and a FIFA vice-president, had said after the Oct. 15 meeting that Council members were invited to put their questions in writing. UEFA’s letter combined the European members’ requests into a single document.

FIFA said on Oct. 20 that Council meetings and related documents are confidential under its governance rules. The governing body said it intended to respond to questions from Council members, but would not discuss internal correspondence or documentation publicly.

FIFA maintained that preserving confidentiality was part of respecting both the Council and its individual members. Further comment was sought on Monday as the requested response date arrived.

The dispute comes before a significant electoral period for FIFA. UEFA has said it will put forward a credible challenger to Infantino when the presidential contest is held next March, and prospective candidates have until Nov. 18 to submit their nominations.