Arabic version: يويفا يحدد مهلة لفيفا بشأن خطة كأس العالم

According to ABC News, UEFA has given FIFA until November 2 to provide documents and answers connected to Gianni Infantino’s abandoned investment plan involving the World Cup. The deadline comes after European delegates said they were dissatisfied with what they saw as a lack of clarity from the FIFA president at a FIFA Council meeting last week.

UEFA has submitted 42 questions to FIFA. They concern the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, described as a $US4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan that Infantino launched and then quickly withdrew in July following a fierce backlash led by Europe. Infantino provided no documents about the plan, the report said.

The questions also cover Infantino’s personal remuneration package, payments to singer Marc Anthony, the handling of US striker Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case, business and political relationships involving Donald Trump and his family, and the operational independence of FIFA’s judicial, electoral and ethics committees. UEFA has asked US federal courts to authorise subpoenas seeking documents and sworn testimony about FIFA Forward Enterprise.

In a formal letter signed by UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis on behalf of European FIFA Council members, UEFA said Infantino’s apology and subsequent explanation had not addressed core concerns. The letter said the withdrawal of the proposal, recognition of mistakes and announcement of potential governance reforms did not explain how decisions were made or why the FIFA Council was not involved at the appropriate stage. FIFA lawyers have said UEFA is harassing Infantino.

UEFA said the questions required answers before the next FIFA Council meeting, scheduled for December 16 in Doha. Its November 2 deadline falls 16 days before the nomination deadline for the presidential election on March 18, giving federations time to assess FIFA’s response, or lack of response, while they can still nominate or endorse a challenger.