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UEFA gives FIFA 2-week deadline to answer 42 questions over Infantino's leadership

The UEFA logo is displayed outside the governing body's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. (AFP Photo)
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The UEFA logo is displayed outside the governing body's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. (AFP Photo)
October 20, 2026 10:27 AM GMT+03:00

European football's governing body UEFA has given FIFA until Nov. 2 to answer 42 questions about its governance, including a failed World Cup investment proposal, the FIFA Peace Prize and a controversial player suspension.

According to BBC Sport, UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis sent an eight-page letter to his FIFA counterpart, Mattias Grafstrom, demanding written explanations and supporting documents concerning several decisions made under FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The letter followed Thursday's FIFA Council meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, where Infantino acknowledged mistakes in communication and consultation over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) investment proposal.

Despite his apology, UEFA said several fundamental questions about FIFA's decision-making remained unresolved.

"Others remain unanswered, and the information and documentation requested have not been provided," the letter stated.

US President Donald Trump joined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino (R) holds the World Cup Trophy as he makes an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, Aug. 22, 2025. (AFP Photo)
US President Donald Trump joined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino (R) holds the World Cup Trophy as he makes an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, Aug. 22, 2025. (AFP Photo)

Failed World Cup investment proposal raises governance questions

At the center of UEFA's concerns is the now-abandoned FFE proposal, which would have established a FIFA-controlled company to manage commercial rights to its competitions, including the World Cup, while allowing private investors to acquire a minority stake.

Although Infantino apologized for how the proposal had been handled and raised the possibility of governance reforms, UEFA maintained that these steps did not explain how the decisions had been made or why the FIFA Council, the organization's main decision-making body, had not been consulted at the appropriate stage.

The European governing body also requested explanations concerning the FIFA Peace Prize and the decision to suspend a red-card ban involving United States international Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.

UEFA's letter followed Infantino's request at the FIFA Council meeting for members, including UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, to submit their questions in writing ahead of the next meeting.

Three vertical banners with UEFA logo waving in the wind. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Three vertical banners with UEFA logo waving in the wind. (Adobe Stock Photo)

UEFA demands answers before Infantino's re-election bid

Rather than waiting for another FIFA Council meeting, UEFA formally requested that every question receive a reasoned written response, accompanied by supporting documents, by Monday, Nov. 2.

The organization emphasized that the outstanding matters could not be postponed and that proposed reforms would not replace accountability for decisions already taken.

The dispute comes as Infantino prepares to seek re-election at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, in March 2027.

His leadership has faced growing scrutiny since the summer, with calls for his resignation continuing over the abandoned FFE proposal and broader concerns about FIFA's governance.

October 20, 2026 10:27 AM GMT+03:00
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