FIFA refuses to commit to deadline as UEFA presses Infantino over World Cup investor plan and Trump influence

FIFA has pledged to answer a series of pointed questions from UEFA about Gianni Infantino’s conduct but stopped short of committing to a response before the candidacy declaration deadline for next year’s FIFA presidential election, set for 18 November.

A letter from UEFA, viewed by the Press Association, was sent on Monday by secretary general Theodore Theodoridis to his FIFA counterpart Mattias Grafstrom. It demanded answers by 2 November — 16 days before that candidate deadline — on behalf of European representatives on the FIFA Council. The delegates had already challenged Infantino directly at a Council gathering in Zurich the previous week before being told to submit their concerns in writing.

The letter sought clarity on several contentious issues: Infantino’s controversial plan to bring private investors into the World Cup, the extent of US President Donald Trump’s influence over FIFA’s business, the Folarin Balogun eligibility case, the World Cup final half-time show, and the introduction of hydration breaks at this summer’s tournament. UEFA stressed that these matters could not be deferred until the next scheduled Council meeting on 16 December.

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed replies would be forthcoming but made no reference to the 2 November deadline. “While FIFA intends to reply to questions submitted by its Council members it has no intention of breaching confidentiality by commenting on internal communication and/or documentation to media,” the spokesperson said, citing the organisation’s Governance Regulations on Council confidentiality.

UEFA’s letter also raised concerns about the independence of next year’s presidential election process. It noted that the chair of the electoral committee, Bruno Chiomento, has known Infantino for 20 years and attended the entire five-week World Cup with all expenses covered by FIFA — a detail UEFA suggested raised questions about impartiality.

European football’s governing body has already publicly stated it has lost confidence in Infantino over his handling of the private investor plan and intends to identify a credible alternative candidate to stand against him in the election.