FIFA offers council limited access to documents on abandoned World Cup deal

FIFA is preparing to let members of its ruling council examine selected documents concerning an abandoned plan to sell a stake in the World Cup, Sky News understands. Access will be restricted to in-person visits to the governing body's headquarters in Zurich, according to a letter from secretary general Mattias Grafstrom obtained by the broadcaster.

The letter was sent as FIFA reached the deadline to respond to questions from UEFA, which is seeking president Gianni Infantino's departure. Council members, including the presidents of all six regional confederations, have two weeks to register their interest in viewing the records. Grafstrom said access would be governed by strict confidentiality procedures. Sky News reported that the restrictions appeared intended to limit disclosure of information about the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, known as FFE.

UEFA has requested the full documentation relating to the venture. It has said it could pursue a criminal mismanagement case against Infantino in Switzerland, alleging that he undervalued the tournaments for his own financial benefit. The European governing body is also taking legal action against FIFA and financiers in the United States to obtain records that could support potential criminal proceedings. FIFA is understood to regard the threat of litigation as a constraint on disclosure.

Sky News disclosed in August that the proposal had been abandoned following opposition led by UEFA and backed by individual national associations. Two weeks before the November 2 report, the broadcaster reported that UEFA had submitted 54 questions about Infantino's private negotiations to privatise the World Cup and demanded an independent investigation. UEFA alleges that he developed FFE with a small circle of advisers and investors, bypassing established governance procedures and failing to consult the council, confederations or member associations.

Grafstrom told council members that FIFA was preparing a response to UEFA's letter and would circulate it when ready. He acknowledged members' interest in examining the proposal despite its termination. His letter also said FIFA had incurred no withdrawal penalty and would face none, while maintaining that the council had always retained the power to reject the proposed sale of 20% of the World Cup.

UEFA's questions extend to alleged conflicts of interest involving Infantino's business dealings with the Trump family. It also wants answers about a call between Infantino and Donald Trump before US striker Folarin Balogun's World Cup red-card suspension was lifted, and the establishment of a FIFA Peace Prize for the US president without council approval. UEFA has additionally raised concerns about discussions with Trump and his associates concerning a FIFA cryptocurrency.

FIFA has responded by accusing UEFA of harassment and attempting to influence the outcome through misinformation. Meanwhile, UEFA is understood to still be searching for an opponent to challenge Infantino in the March presidential election. It has withdrawn its support for him, as have, among others, the football associations of England, Scotland and Wales.

Candidates must come forward by November 18 with support from five of FIFA's 211 voting associations. Infantino's candidacy would also require clearance through election integrity checks. The men's World Cup supplies most of FIFA's revenue, while the organisation projects that Brazil 2027 will become the first profitable Women's World Cup.