UEFA is still waiting to receive answers to a series of questions it posed to FIFA related to Gianni Infantino’s presidency, with only hours to go until the deadline for a response passes.
UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis wrote to his FIFA counterpart Mattias Grafstrom on Oct. 19 setting out 42 areas where clarity was sought on behalf of European members of the FIFA Council on a range of issues of concern.
This included a request for information linked to Infantino’s now-abandoned plan to seek private investment in a company to run the World Cup’s commercial affairs, disclosure of documentation related to the Folarin Balogun disciplinary case and for assurances and explanations around potential conflicts of interest. The letter requested substantive responses to the questions asked by Nov. 2.
The Press Association understands that as of midday Central European Time on Monday, no such response had been received.
Council members had attended a meeting of the FIFA Council on Oct. 15 and asked Infantino questions in person. One of those members, Football Association chair and FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt, said after the meeting that Council members were asked to submit questions in writing.
Theodoridis’ letter, seen by the PA news agency, served to consolidate the questions of the European Council members in one place.
“These questions require answers now,” he wrote.
“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.”
On Oct. 20, a FIFA spokesperson answered a PA request for comment on the letter by stating: “The FIFA governance regulations state that Council meetings and their associated documentation are confidential.
“While FIFA intends to reply to questions submitted by its Council members it has no intention of breaching confidentiality by commenting on internal communication and/or documentation to media.
“FIFA considers respect for these regulations to be a function of respect for the Council itself and for its individual members. FIFA will always maintain this respect and will not be drawn into any exchange with any third parties that undermines this.”
FIFA has also been approached for comment on Monday.
The FIFA Council is not due to meet again until Dec. 16. UEFA has pledged to identify a credible alternative candidate to stand against Infantino in the FIFA presidential election next March.
The deadline for candidacy submissions is Nov. 18.
