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UEFA demands answers from FIFA over Infantino dealings in urgent letter
The letter, which has been seen by Sky Sports News , was written on Monday by UEFA secretary general Theodore Theodoridis and sent to his FIFA counterpart Mattias Grafstrom. Theodoridis gives FIFA two weeks to respond to UEFA's long list of concerns which were raised by European football leaders at the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last Thursday. He begins by noting that Infantino acknowledged during the meeting that mistakes had been made but the explanations provided "have not begun satisfactorily to address a number of fundamental questions". "These questions require answers now," Theodoridis writes. "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 42 questions are split into 12 sections: 1. FIFA Forward Enterprise - the World Cup sell-off proposal. Why did Infantino negotiate to sell off a stake in FIFA tournaments in secret? "Could FIFA explain why an agreement granting exclusivity to Thrive Capital was signed without prior consultation of the FIFA Council? Who authorised FIFA to enter into this agreement, and on what basis? "Why was the FIFA Council not consulted before exclusivity was granted, irrespective of any approval that may have been envisaged at a later stage? "Could FIFA also confirm who the members of the Management Board Bureau were at the time of the decision and how each of them voted, specifying who voted in favour, who voted against and who abstained? "When was it intended that the FFE proposal and supporting documentation would be submitted to the FIFA Council?" 2. Will investigation into FIFA governance be independent and why is FIFA blocking release of documents? "How does FIFA intend to establish what actually happened in relation to FFE, the Balogun case and the other matters raised by members of the Council, and to ensure appropriate accountability for any shortcomings identified?" 3. Review of funding of FIFA's member associations. On what basis did FIFA propose to sell off a stake in World Cups at a valuation of $20bn when this summer's tournament generated revenues of $15bn? "Please explain the investment and exit assumptions underlying Thrive Capital's proposed participation". 4. Development funding and use of FIFA's financial resources. Why were member associations going to receive development funding to accept the sell-off proposal when FIFA already has $6bn cash reserves? "The FIFA president has repeatedly stated that FIFA's money belongs to its MAs. Why, then, was substantially increased funding for MAs presented in connection with FFE and external investment, rather than being financed directly from FIFA's own resources? "What exactly were MAs being asked to approve as part of the FFE proposal in order to access these additional funds? Following the withdrawal of FFE, FIFA has now proposed increasing funding to $25m per MA using its own reserves. Why was such an approach not considered before FFE was proposed?" 5. Remuneration and financial transparency. Why did Infantino receive a £1.3m payment in 2024 on top of his £4m FIFA salary? "Recent media reports, referring to filings by FIFA's US World Cup organising entity (FWC2026 US), indicate that the FIFA president received substantial additional remuneration which was not disclosed in FIFA's annual report. "Could FIFA clarify the nature, amount and basis of these payments, why they were not disclosed in FIFA's annual report, and whether they were reviewed and approved by the competent FIFA bodies? "Could FIFA also confirm whether the additional remuneration was treated as taxable income and whether the corresponding income tax was paid?" 6. Review of disciplinary procedures and the Balogun case. Why was Balogun allowed to play when he was suspended? "President Trump publicly acknowledged having called the FIFA president to request a review of the Balogun disciplinary case. What exactly did he ask him to do, and what was his response? Would the case have been reviewed in the absence of his intervention? "Following that conversation, did the FIFA president or the FIFA secretary general communicate with anyone within FIFA, including members of the administration or the chair of the disciplinary committee, concerning the Balogun case? If so, could FIFA specify with whom, when and the nature of those communications?" 7. Compliance with the Laws of the Game. Why was there a 27-minute World Cup final half-time show? "The half-time interval during the World Cup final lasted 27 minutes, without any prior request to the IFAB and consultation with the FIFA Council. "Similarly, the introduction of mandatory so called hydration breaks at all World Cup matches, in deviation from the existing rule was not preceded, to our knowledge, by consultation or a request for authorisation from the IFAB." 8. Electoral integrity and independence of FIFA's judicial bodies. UEFA doubts about whether FIFA presidential election will be fair. "The official electoral campaign period began on 30 April 2026, the date of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. Which body, in addition to the FIFA Electoral Committee, is responsible for overseeing the electoral process, and what procedures and safeguards have been established to prevent the misuse of FIFA resources and ensure a fair and impartial presidential election? "We have concerns regarding the independence and impartiality of the chair of the FIFA Electoral Committee, Mr Chiomento, given the committee's crucial role in overseeing the presidential election." 9. Presidential expenditure and financial oversight. Infantino's private jet provided by Qatar Airways. "Numerous media reports in recent years have raised questions concerning the FIFA president's use of private aircraft and the costs of his accommodation, notably in Qatar and the United States. "Could FIFA provide a detailed account of the relevant expenditure, including its amounts, purposes, authorisation procedures and compliance with FIFA's applicable financial and travel policies?" 10. World Cup hospitality and allocation of privileges. "We request access to the complete list of guests seated in the VIP and VVIP sections during the World Cup final, including their names, positions and the reasons for their invitations. "Could FIFA also explain the criteria and decision-making process governing the allocation of these places, particularly in circumstances where numerous guests were apparently given priority over presidents of MAs and secretaries general of confederations?" "In the absence of any prior involvement of the FIFA Council, who decided to establish the FIFA Peace Prize, for what purpose, and who decided that the President of the United States should receive it? "What role did the FIFA president personally play in the creation of the award and the selection of its recipient? Were any independent selection procedures or objective criteria established and applied? If so, could FIFA provide the relevant documentation?" "A series of decisions, transactions and interventions involving the FIFA president, the President of the United States and individuals associated with him raise serious questions concerning potential conflicts of interest, transparency and institutional accountability." Arsene Wenger would be a popular choice to take on Infantino but FIFA's global football development chief has made no comment about a potential challenge.
Source: Sky Sports
Mon, 19 Oct 2026
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