UEFA has reportedly asked FIFA to answer questions about Gianni Infantino’s leadership by November 2, escalating its push for explanations before the next scheduled council meeting.
The request covers the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and other governance issues. Reuters reported Tuesday that the correspondence contains 42 questions across 12 topics.
According to Reuters’ report, UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis wrote to FIFA counterpart Mattias Grafstrom seeking a response. Reuters said it had not seen the letter itself.
Sky News, which said it obtained the letter, reported that UEFA sought explanations about decision-making, potential conflicts of interest and how FIFA’s relevant bodies were consulted.
The distinction matters: the letter raises questions and requests scrutiny. Its reported contents do not, on their own, establish that the transactions or interventions involved wrongdoing.
Sky’s account said the subjects included proposed cryptocurrency discussions, the FIFA Peace Prize, office leasing arrangements and commercial dealings connected to people associated with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The broadcaster also reported that UEFA wanted an independent investigation into the abandoned plan to sell a minority stake in the commercial operation of FIFA competitions.
UEFA’s reported position is that proposed future reforms cannot replace examination of earlier decisions. The correspondence seeks explanations of financial implications and the management of potential conflicts.
The dispute predates the letter. At last week’s FIFA Council meeting, Infantino apologized over communication and consultation surrounding the enterprise project, while defending it as a proposal.
In earlier reporting from Zurich, English FA chair Debbie Hewitt pressed for answers and relevant documents. German FA president Bernd Neuendorf argued for a broader leadership reset.
That opposition was not universal. Mauritanian federation president Ahmed Yahya defended Infantino, citing football development, increased association funding and the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams.
The abandoned enterprise plan would have created a company to manage commercial interests in FIFA competitions and brought in private investment. UEFA had led resistance to that proposed arrangement.
FIFA announced in July that it would not proceed after the project created divisions. The reported request concerns how that proposal was handled, rather than an active sale.
Infantino had invited written questions for the December 16 council meeting, but UEFA is seeking earlier answers. Neither organization immediately responded to Reuters’ request for comment.
The timing also precedes the next FIFA presidential election in March 2027. Potential candidates face a November 18 nomination deadline, adding another approaching date to the unresolved governance dispute.
