The power struggle between UEFA and FIFA is intensifying. The European governing body has set a deadline for FIFA to release documents about Gianni Infantino’s abandoned investment plan for the World Cup and other governance issues.
The letter, signed by UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis for European FIFA Council members, said Infantino’s apology and explanation did not address their main concerns. UEFA asked U.S. federal courts to authorise subpoenas compelling the production of documents and sworn testimony about the abandoned investment plan called FIFA Forward Enterprise. It also asked why the FIFA Council was excluded from the decision-making process and noted that many questions remain unanswered. “These explanations have not begun satisfactorily to address a number of fundamental questions raised by Council members.
UEFA set a November 2 deadline after European delegates expressed disappointment, citing a lack of clarity from Infantino on these issues at last week’s FIFA council meeting, according to AP. Infantino has not provided documents regarding the USD 4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan, which he introduced and then withdrew in July following strong opposition from Europe.
Others remain unanswered, and the information and documentation requested have not been (provided),” the letter said. “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.”
“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.
