FIFA to share ‘key documents’ over World Cup sell-off plan

FIFA says “key documents” relating to President Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors will be made available to members of its council – but access will be subject to “strict review protocols”. Last month, UEFA gave football’s world governing body until 2 November to release details of the hugely controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal and answer a list of questions about its governance and decision-making.

That followed a council meeting where Infantino apologised for the abandoned sell-off plot but failed to fully explain how the proposal was devised, asking that questions be submitted in writing. Just hours before the deadline from European football’s governing body passed, Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom wrote to members of its main decision-making body – saying they will be able to view “key documents”, but only in person at the organisation’s headquarters in Zurich.

In his letter – seen by BBC Sport – he says the paperwork will be available “under strict review protocols to preserve confidentiality”, with council members asked to register to see them within the next two weeks. It is unclear which documents will be made available. BBC Sport has been told Fifa viewed Uefa’s two-week deadline to respond to more than 100 questions as unfeasible, given their recent focus on organising a new youth World Cup in Azerbaijan and preparations for an extraordinary congress later this month.

Sources have also indicated Fifa’s ability to answer some questions is limited by legal action that UEFA launched in October in the US, requesting disclosure of evidence and documents, warning it could lodge a criminal complaint in Switzerland. Last month, UEFA told FIFA that it had failed to address “a number of fundamental questions”. The letter included eight pages of questions covering issues ranging from FFE and funding to national associations, to the awarding of an inaugural Fifa Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump and the controversial suspended ban given to USA striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup.

“The withdrawal of FFE, the acknowledgement of mistakes and the announcement of ‘potential governance reforms’ do not answer how the relevant decisions were taken or why the Fifa Council was not involved at the appropriate stage,” the letter said. “These questions require answers now. They cannot be deferred until the next meeting of the Fifa Council – nor can future governance reforms substitute for scrutiny of decisions already taken and accountability for them.” Uefa did not outline what steps it intended to take should Fifa not meet the deadline, but hoped it added to the pressure on Infantino before 18 November – the cut-off date for any candidates to confirm they are standing against him in next year’s presidential election.

In his letter Grafstrom says that Uefa’s demand “contains significantly more questions than the Fifa administration could reasonably have anticipated” and that it is “currently working on a response which we will share with all council members in due course.” He adds that the FFE proposal “could not have proceeded without the cumulative and mandatory approval of the council, and a majority of member associations, and in that event, there would be and has been no penalty to Fifa for withdrawing from the proposal”.

Uefa has been approached for comment.