Fifa has told members of its council that they will be allowed to review key documents linked to the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, a plan associated with president Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
Secretary general Mattias Grafstrom outlined the arrangement in a letter sent to members of Fifa’s main decision-making body just hours before a deadline set by Uefa expired. The documents will be available for inspection at Fifa’s headquarters in Zurich, with council members required to register within the next two weeks.
Grafstrom said the material would be provided under strict review procedures intended to protect confidentiality. However, it remains unclear which documents will be made available.
Uefa had given Fifa until 2 November to provide information about the controversial proposal and answer more than 100 questions concerning its governance and decision-making. The demand followed a council meeting at which Infantino apologised for the abandoned plan but did not provide a complete account of how it had been developed, instead asking for questions to be submitted in writing.
Fifa reportedly considered Uefa’s two-week deadline unrealistic, citing its focus on organising a new youth World Cup in Azerbaijan and preparing for an extraordinary congress later this month. Legal proceedings initiated by Uefa in the United States in October may also limit Fifa’s ability to respond to some questions. Uefa has sought disclosure of evidence and documents and warned that it could file a criminal complaint in Switzerland.
Uefa’s letter said Fifa had failed to address several fundamental issues. Its questions covered the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, funding for national associations, the awarding of the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize to United States President Donald Trump and a suspended ban involving USA striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup.
The European governing body argued that withdrawing the proposal, acknowledging mistakes and promising possible governance reforms did not explain how the relevant decisions were made or why the Fifa Council was not involved at the appropriate stage.
In his response, Grafstrom said Uefa’s request contained substantially more questions than Fifa’s administration could reasonably have expected. He said Fifa was preparing a response that would be shared with all council members in due course.
Grafstrom also stated that the proposal could not have gone ahead without the cumulative and mandatory approval of the council and a majority of member associations, adding that Fifa would not face a penalty for withdrawing from it. Uefa has been approached for comment.
Sources: BBC Sport.