Fifa has announced that key documents regarding president Gianni Infantino's failed plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors will be made available to members of its governing council in Zurich. The move comes in response to mounting pressure from European football's governing body, which had imposed a strict two-week deadline for answers regarding governance and decision-making controversies.
In a letter sent by Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom to members of the Fifa Council, officials were informed that material relating to the controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal would be released for in-person inspection. However, access will be strictly restricted under confidentiality protocols at the governing body's headquarters, with a deadline of 16 November set for council members to apply for visits.
The announcement follows a formal ultimatum issued by European football authorities on 19 October, which demanded transparency on more than 100 questions covering a wide range of administrative decisions. These included the aborted FFE project, financial assistance to national associations, the awarding of an inaugural Fifa Peace Prize to Donald Trump, and disciplinary handling surrounding international players such as USA striker Folarin Balogun.
Fifa defended its timeline by stating that the extensive list of inquiries received from European officials was too substantial to address within the requested two-week window. The administration pointed to ongoing preparations for an extraordinary congress and recent youth tournament organisation as factors impacting administrative capacity, while noting that a formal response is currently being prepared for council members.
Legal complications have also played a role in the ongoing standoff between the two governing bodies, following legal action launched in the United States requesting disclosure of evidence. European authorities previously warned that further steps could include lodging a criminal complaint in Switzerland regarding alleged financial mismanagement, while Fifa has previously rejected accusations of wrongdoing and criticized the pressure as misinformation.
The timing of the document disclosures has drawn attention ahead of the fast-approaching 18 November deadline for presidential candidates to declare their intentions for next year's election. While European leadership and allied associations work to identify a challenger to oppose Infantino at the upcoming ballot, the governing body maintains that the abandoned tournament proposal required broader council approval and incurred no financial penalties upon its withdrawal.
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