FIFA is preparing to allow members of its ruling council to examine some documents connected to its controversial plan to sell off part of the commercial rights surrounding the World Cup, although access will be restricted to an in-person visit to its headquarters in Zurich.
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom has communicated the decision in a letter sent to council members as the organisation faced a deadline to respond to questions raised by UEFA over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.
The development comes amid growing pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, whose leadership has come under scrutiny, with UEFA reportedly pushing for him to leave office.
Council members will only be permitted to inspect the “key documents” at FIFA’s headquarters in Switzerland, rather than receiving copies for independent examination.
UEFA has demanded access to all records relating to the proposed FFE arrangement, warning that it could consider legal action against Infantino in Switzerland over alleged criminal mismanagement.
The European governing body claims the proposed deal involved undervaluing World Cup commercial opportunities to secure personal financial advantages.
UEFA has further accused Infantino of secretly developing the project with a select group of advisers and potential investors while ignoring FIFA’s established decision-making procedures.
According to the allegations, the FIFA president did not adequately involve the organisation’s Council, continental confederations or national football associations in discussions surrounding the initiative.
Infantino is seeking another term as FIFA president in elections scheduled for March. However, UEFA has withdrawn its backing, with the football associations of England, Scotland and Wales also among those distancing themselves from his leadership.
In September, Sky News reported that UEFA and CONCACAF had written to Infantino questioning the justification for seeking private equity investment to finance football development.
The two confederations pointed out that FIFA’s financial reserves were projected to reach $6 billion (approximately Ksh777 billion), raising questions about the need to pursue outside investment.
Last month, UEFA escalated its concerns by submitting 42 questions to FIFA, seeking explanations over alleged conflicts of interest involving Infantino, business dealings linked to the family of United States President Donald Trump and the attempted World Cup commercial rights sale.
In its correspondence, UEFA stated: “A series of decisions, transactions and interventions involving the FIFA President, the President of the United States and individuals associated with him raise serious questions concerning potential conflicts of interest, transparency and institutional accountability.”
The questions also covered Infantino’s reported engagements with Trump and his associates over a proposed FIFA cryptocurrency, an issue previously highlighted by Sky News in February.
Other matters raised included the decision to overturn the red card issued to United States striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup following discussions between Infantino and Trump.
UEFA also questioned the creation of a FIFA Peace Prize for Trump, arguing that the award was introduced without approval from FIFA’s Council.
Additionally, the European body sought clarification over FIFA’s reported $75 million (approximately Ksh9.7 billion) investment in Palestine, which was announced during Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in February without clearance from the FIFA Council or finance committee.
The latest move to grant council members restricted access to documents is likely to intensify scrutiny over FIFA’s handling of the proposed commercial arrangement and the wider questions surrounding Infantino’s leadership.
