UEFA Sets November 2 Deadline for FIFA to Release World Cup Sell-Off Plan Documents

UEFA has issued a deadline of November 2 to FIFA, demanding the release of crucial documents concerning President Gianni Infantino's abandoned investment plan for the World Cup and other governance matters. This action escalates the ongoing power struggle between the global football governing body and the European confederation.

The demand follows a recent FIFA Council meeting where European football officials expressed dissatisfaction with Infantino's explanations, perceiving a lack of clarity on key issues. Infantino had previously launched, and then quickly withdrawn, a $4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan in July after facing significant backlash, primarily from Europe. No documents related to this plan were provided.

UEFA is seeking answers to 42 specific questions. These include inquiries about Infantino's personal remuneration, financial payments made to singer Marc Anthony, the handling of the disciplinary case involving USA striker Folarin Balogun, business and political ties with US President Donald Trump and his family, and the operational independence of FIFA's judicial, electoral, and ethics committees.

Earlier, UEFA had requested US federal courts to authorize subpoenas for documents and testimony regarding the abandoned investment plan, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise. FIFA's legal team has accused UEFA of harassing Infantino. Al Jazeera's request for comment from FIFA went unanswered.

A formal letter, signed by UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis on behalf of European FIFA Council members, stated that Infantino's apology and subsequent explanation did not adequately address their core concerns. The letter noted, "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]." It further questioned the decision-making process behind the withdrawal of FFE and the lack of FIFA Council involvement at the appropriate stage, stating, "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 also indicated that any refusal to disclose information or documents must be individually justified with clear grounds. UEFA has set the November 2 deadline, which is 16 days before the nomination deadline for the presidential election on March 18, 2027. With the next FIFA Council meeting scheduled for December 16 in Doha, Qatar, after nominations close, UEFA stressed the urgency of the matter. "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 emphasized. This tighter timeline aims to give federations sufficient time to evaluate FIFA's responses, or lack thereof, before nominating or endorsing any potential challengers.