UEFA gives Infantino two-week deadline to release key documents

[Oggiman]

European governing body Uefa has told Fifa it must release key documents and answer all questions relating to its governance and decision-making by a deadline of 2 November.

At the Fifa Council last Thursday, president Gianni Infantino apologised for his World Cup sell-off plan - but failed to offer a full explanation for how the proposal was devised.

In the letter seen by BBC Sport, Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said that world football's governing body had failed to address "a number of fundamental questions".

"Others remain unanswered, and the information and documentation requested have not been provided," it read.

The letter included eight pages of questions covering a number of issues, from the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) private investment, to the Fifa Peace Prize 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," it continued.

"Any refusal to disclose information or documents should be justified individually, with a clear explanation of the specific grounds relied upon.

"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.

 

[Oggiman]

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.

Last month, Uefa gave football's world governing body until 2 November to release details about the hugely controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, and to answer a list of questions relating to its governance and decision-making.

That followed a council meeting at which Infantino apologised for the abandoned sell-off but failed to offer a full explanation for 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 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.

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.