UEFA Sets November 2 Deadline for FIFA Over Infantino's Aborted World Cup Investment Plan

UEFA Gives FIFA a November 2 Deadline to Release Infantino World Cup Plan Documents

UEFA has given FIFA a November 2 deadline to release documents relating to Gianni Infantino's aborted attempt at a secretive investment plan for the World Cup and other governance issues, escalating the power struggle between football's two governing bodies.

The formal letter, signed by UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis on behalf of European FIFA council members, came in the week after European delegates were disappointed by what they perceived as a lack of clarity from FIFA president Infantino at a FIFA council meeting. Infantino provided no documents about the $4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan — the FIFA Forward Enterprise — which he launched and quickly dropped in July amid a fierce backlash led by Europe.

The letter stated that Infantino's apology for his actions and subsequent explanation had failed to address core concerns. "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 read.

Among 42 questions UEFA is demanding answers to are Infantino's personal remuneration package, financial payments made to singer Marc Anthony, the handling of United States 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.

"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 continued.

UEFA has also asked United States federal courts to authorize subpoenas compelling the production of documents and sworn testimony about the abandoned investment plan. FIFA lawyers have claimed UEFA is harassing Infantino.

The standoff is the most serious rupture between the confederations in years, and the November 2 deadline sets a hard clock on a dispute that could reshape how power and accountability are distributed at the top of world football.