UEFA Sends 42 Questions to FIFA President Gianni Infantino Over Governance Controversies
The relationship between European football’s governing body and FIFA is facing renewed strain after UEFA submitted 42 questions demanding explanations about a series of contentious decisions under president Gianni Infantino. The international football federation has been given until November 2 to respond and provide supporting documentation, according to a report by the Press Association citing a letter sent to FIFA.
The initiative, led by UEFA secretary general Theodore Theodoridis on behalf of members of the organisation’s executive committee, seeks clarification on matters ranging from investment plans and financial disclosures to award decisions and the independence of FIFA’s presidential election procedures.
The letter was addressed to FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström and reflects broader European concerns about transparency and decision-making at the organisation’s highest levels.
FIFA’s abandoned investment plan remains under scrutiny
One of UEFA’s principal concerns is FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed commercial structure that would have allowed private investors to acquire a 20% stake in a company managing the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.
FIFA withdrew the proposal on August 1 after it encountered opposition from three continental confederations, including UEFA. The European body had already expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino, citing the investment initiative among its concerns.
However, the plan’s cancellation has not resolved the questions surrounding its development. UEFA wants to understand how the proposal was conceived, why FIFA’s governing council was not involved in the process at an appropriate stage and whether the organisation’s internal procedures were followed.
The correspondence also seeks details about the decision to grant Joshua Kushner exclusivity as the principal investor. It raises questions about potential conflicts of interest arising from family connections involving Kushner, US President Donald Trump and the recipient of FIFA’s Peace Prize.
UEFA is therefore seeking more than confirmation that the proposal has been abandoned. Its questions focus on the decision-making process and the safeguards that should govern major commercial initiatives.
Financial transparency and the Peace Prize questioned
The FIFA Peace Prize is another subject covered by the European body's request for information. UEFA is seeking clarification about the award as part of its wider examination of decisions taken under Infantino’s leadership.
Financial reporting is also under scrutiny. The letter refers to a report published by The Times alleging that Infantino received a payment in 2024 from the company responsible for organising the 2026 World Cup.
UEFA is asking FIFA to explain the nature of the reported payment and why it was not included in the organisation’s annual report. The questions do not, in themselves, establish that any wrongdoing occurred, but they underline the European body’s demand for a clearer account of the financial arrangements involved.
Other issues include the planned duration of the half-time entertainment show at the 2026 World Cup final and the introduction of hydration breaks during matches. The correspondence also addresses the Folarin Balogun case, although the available account of the letter does not specify the precise information UEFA is seeking on that matter.
Concerns extend to the FIFA presidential election
The dispute goes beyond commercial decisions and tournament arrangements. UEFA is also questioning the safeguards intended to protect the independence of FIFA’s presidential election process.
The letter reportedly examines the relationship between Infantino and Bruno Chiomento, who chairs the electoral committee. Chiomento is said to have known the FIFA president for approximately two decades.
UEFA has also raised questions about Chiomento’s presence throughout the five-week World Cup period and the fact that his expenses were covered by FIFA. These circumstances have prompted the European organisation to seek clarification about the arrangements and the guarantees of independence surrounding the electoral process.
The questions do not establish that the election procedures have been compromised. Rather, they place the emphasis on transparency, institutional safeguards and the need to demonstrate that electoral oversight operates independently.
November 2 deadline puts FIFA under pressure to respond
FIFA now faces a deadline to address the 42 questions and supply the requested documents. Its response could help clarify the circumstances surrounding several decisions that have become points of friction between the two governing bodies.
The episode also highlights the broader challenge of maintaining confidence in football’s international institutions as they prepare for major commercial commitments and the 2026 World Cup.
For UEFA, the central issue is whether FIFA can provide sufficiently detailed explanations of its internal processes, financial disclosures and electoral safeguards. For FIFA, the immediate task is to respond to the European body’s demands before November 2.
The outcome of this exchange remains uncertain, but the scale of the inquiry signals that disagreements over governance and accountability continue to weigh on relations between the two organisations.
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