UEFA Sends 42 Demanding Questions to FIFA Over Infantino Conduct
UEFA has sent an ultimatum letter to FIFA with 42 demanding questions regarding President Gianni Infantino's conduct, touching on financial deals and Donald Trump's intervention.
The conflict at the summit of world football continues to escalate as UEFA sent a sharp letter to FIFA featuring 42 questions regarding the conduct of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, alongside a demand for detailed answers and supporting documents by November 2. At the center of the dispute are the attempt to raise 20 billion dollars through a private investor for World Cup-related activities, the intervention of US President Donald Trump in a disciplinary case during the World Cup, and the decision to award him the FIFA Peace Prize.
UEFA argues that the explanations provided so far are insufficient and that requested documents have not been transferred. "The explanations failed to provide a sufficient response to a series of fundamental questions raised by members of the FIFA Council. Other questions remained unanswered, and the requested information and documents were not provided," the letter stated.
The central affair concerns the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, under which Infantino sought to raise 20 billion dollars through private investment. The intended investor was Thrive Capital, an investment fund led by Josh Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner and son-in-law of Donald Trump. The plan sparked fierce opposition, and UEFA even threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions. Subsequently, the plan was scrapped and Infantino apologized, but UEFA now demands to know who approved the contacts, why the fund was granted exclusivity without a competitive process, and why the FIFA Council was not involved in the decisions.
Another sensitive issue concerns US national team forward Folarin Balogun, who was sent off during the 2026 World Cup but avoided an immediate suspension after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee overturned his punishment. Trump publicly admitted that he called Infantino and asked to re-examine the case, and UEFA is now demanding to find out whether this had any impact on the disciplinary proceedings. "What exactly did President Trump ask him to do, and what was his reaction? Would the case have been re-examined without his intervention?," the letter asked.
The conflict also involves the distribution of funds to member associations. As part of the original investment plan, Infantino presented the possibility of transferring 40 million dollars to each of the 211 associations, subject to their support for the move. Following the cancellation of the plan, it was proposed to increase development budgets from FIFA's own sources. UEFA demands to understand why the need for an external investor was presented in the first place if FIFA had resources that allowed for increased budgets without the deal.
"These questions must be answered now. They cannot be postponed to the next meeting of the FIFA Council, and future corporate governance reforms cannot replace a review of decisions already made and accountability for them," the letter stated.
The confrontation comes ahead of the FIFA presidential election, scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco. English FA Chairman and FIFA Vice President Debbie Hewitt already said after the latest council meeting: "If he does not answer these questions, he is not fit to be FIFA president."
