UEFA has given FIFA until November 2 to disclose documents and address 42 questions concerning a scrapped $4.2 billion investment proposal, intensifying tensions over transparency and governance under President Gianni Infantino.
The dispute between FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has escalated, with European football officials demanding detailed explanations over a controversial investment initiative and several other governance issues involving FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
At the centre of the row is FIFA Forward Enterprise, a $4.2 billion investment plan unveiled by Infantino in July before being withdrawn following strong opposition, particularly from European representatives.
UEFA maintains that scrapping the proposal has not resolved fundamental questions about how it was developed, who participated in the decision-making process and why the FIFA Council was allegedly not consulted at the appropriate stage.
In a formal letter signed by UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis on behalf of European members of the FIFA Council, the organisation argued that Infantino’s apology and subsequent explanations had failed to adequately address the concerns raised.
UEFA said abandoning the initiative, acknowledging mistakes and promising possible governance reforms did not provide sufficient answers about the decision-making process or the level of involvement of the FIFA Council.
Beyond the abandoned investment plan, UEFA has submitted 42 questions seeking clarification on a range of issues affecting FIFA’s leadership and administration.
The questions reportedly cover Infantino’s personal remuneration, payments made to singer Marc Anthony and the handling of a disciplinary case involving United States striker Folarin Balogun.
UEFA has also raised concerns about FIFA’s business and political relationships involving US President Donald Trump and his family, as well as the independence of the organisation’s judicial, electoral and ethics committees.
The demands have intensified scrutiny of FIFA’s internal decision-making structures, with European officials pressing for greater transparency and accountability in the administration of world football.
The dispute has also moved into the legal arena, with UEFA seeking authorisation from US federal courts to issue subpoenas compelling the production of documents and sworn testimony linked to the abandoned investment initiative.
The move has further strained relations between the two football governing bodies, with FIFA’s lawyers accusing UEFA of harassing Infantino.
The legal proceedings could increase pressure on FIFA to provide further details about the proposal and the circumstances surrounding its withdrawal.
UEFA’s November 2 deadline places FIFA under renewed pressure to respond to the questions and release the requested documentation.
The disagreement highlights a growing power struggle between the two organisations following a recent FIFA Council meeting, during which European representatives reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Infantino’s explanations of key decisions.
With questions surrounding financial transparency, institutional independence and the role of FIFA’s governing council still unresolved, the response to UEFA’s demands could prove significant for the relationship between the organisations.
The standoff has placed FIFA’s governance practices under renewed scrutiny, as European officials seek clearer answers on decisions affecting the management and future direction of international football.
