UEFA sends FIFA 42 questions over Infantino and sets a November 2 deadline for answers and documents

The controversy surrounding FIFA president Gianni Infantino shows no sign of ending. Even after the proposed $4.2 billion World Cup investment plan was cancelled, the dispute continues to follow the FIFA chief. UEFA, European football's governing body, has now sought answers to 42 questions on administrative matters, including the release of documents relating to that plan.

UEFA has given FIFA until November 2 to answer the questions and provide the related documents. The power struggle between FIFA and UEFA is consequently intensifying further.

According to an AP report, European representatives were not satisfied with Infantino's remarks on these issues at last week's FIFA Council meeting. It was in that context that UEFA sent FIFA the 42 detailed questions.

Citing March 18 as the deadline for nominations in the FIFA presidential election, UEFA said it is not possible to wait until the next Council meeting to settle these matters.

At the centre of the controversy is Infantino's proposed $4.2 billion World Cup investment plan. Known as 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' (FFE), the plan was brought forward by the FIFA president in July. It was later withdrawn in the face of strong opposition from Europe.

UEFA alleges that even after the withdrawal, the detailed documents of the plan were not released. The demand to publish those documents has now become one of the main points of dispute between the two bodies.

UEFA's questions include details of the FIFA president's personal remuneration and benefits, an account of money paid to singer Marc Anthony, and an explanation of how the disciplinary case of United States footballer Folarin Balogun was handled.

UEFA has also raised questions about FIFA's business and political relationship with US President Donald Trump and his family, as well as the independence of FIFA's judicial, electoral and ethics committees.

UEFA has also applied to a US federal court for more information on Infantino's proposed investment plan. It has sought permission for court-issued compulsory summons to obtain documents relating to the cancelled plan and to take testimony under oath from those involved.

FIFA's lawyers, on the other hand, have claimed that UEFA is harassing Infantino. The dispute between the two bodies is therefore moving beyond questions of administrative transparency into legal and institutional territory as well.

In a letter signed by UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis on behalf of the European representatives, it was stated that Infantino's apology and explanation had not removed their core concerns. Although the plan was withdrawn and the possibility of future administrative reform was mentioned, important questions remain unanswered.

The letter also asked why the FIFA Council was not properly involved in the process of taking such a major decision. UEFA's position is that promises of future administrative reform cannot be used to avoid accountability for decisions taken in the past.

FIFA's next Council meeting is scheduled to be held in Doha on December 16. UEFA, however, insists the questions must be answered before then, because that meeting will take place after the nomination deadline for the FIFA presidential election has passed. In UEFA's view, such an important matter cannot be left hanging until the next meeting — transparency and accountability must be ensured now.