Infantino apologises to FIFA council, but critics still demand answers

FIFA’s council meeting lasted three and a half hours. President Gianni Infantino apologised to members for blindsiding them with a private investment plan, but his critics said the apology did not resolve their concerns.

Infantino provided no documents on the $4.2 billion World Cup commercial-rights plan he launched and withdrew in July. He also gave no new details about Folarin Balogun’s red-card case at the World Cup or US President Donald Trump’s intervention on behalf of the United States forward.

European officials demand written answers

FIFA Vice President and English Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt said Infantino asked European representatives to submit written questions about the plan. She said he must answer them or would not be fit to remain FIFA president.

German football chief Bernd Neuendorf said the meeting produced no satisfactory answers. He said FIFA needed a leader of integrity who could restore the organisation’s reputation.

Private investment plan under scrutiny

The dispute followed reports, published nine days after the World Cup final in July, about Infantino’s proposal for a structure to manage tournament commercial rights with venture capitalist Joshua Kushner. Investors led by Kushner were expected to own at least 20% of the planned subsidiary.

UEFA has asked US courts for access to evidence for a criminal complaint in Switzerland. The filings allege possible mismanagement of FIFA finances linked to the valuation Infantino placed on the proposed subsidiary.

UEFA is leading efforts to remove Infantino before or at the FIFA presidential election in March. FIFA’s council will also review whether to continue awarding the peace prize that was due to be given to Trump in December.