FA chair Hewitt demands independent inquiry into Infantino over World Cup sell-off and Balogun red card affair

Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt has written to FIFA president Gianni Infantino demanding an independent investigation into two separate controversies: a plan to offload a 20 per cent stake in FIFA tournaments — including the men’s and women’s World Cups — to private investors, and the disciplinary handling of United States forward Folarin Balogun’s red card during the 2025 Copa América.

Hewitt’s letter, first reported by The Times, requests an external review of the private investment scheme as well as a formal explanation for FIFA’s disciplinary committee choosing to suspend a one-game ban imposed on Balogun. The decision to pause that sanction came before US president Donald Trump publicly admitted he had personally contacted Infantino to ask that the red card, issued during the USA’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, be re-examined.

The move adds to mounting pressure on Infantino, who has already faced opposition from three continental confederations over the commercial proposal. Although Infantino issued an apology on 5 August regarding the procedures surrounding the investment strategy, and FIFA’s management board pledged an evaluation would take place, the governing body has never confirmed who is conducting the review.

UEFA has gone further, stating it has “lost confidence” in Infantino and launching legal proceedings within the US court system to compel disclosure of documents related to the private investment scheme. The European governing body has also committed to backing a viable candidate to challenge Infantino at the FIFA Congress in March, ahead of the official nomination deadline on 18 November.

Despite the pressure, Infantino has confirmed his intention to stand for re-election and retains strong support across South America, Africa, and several Middle Eastern nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Hewitt occupies a dual role that gives her letter particular weight: in addition to chairing the FA, she serves as a FIFA vice-president and holds a seat on the FIFA Council. The Belgian football association is also separately examining its legal options over the Balogun situation, given that the suspended ban allowed the American forward to play in Belgium’s World Cup last-16 defeat to the United States.