The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has given FIFA President Gianni Infantino until 2 November to release key documents and answer questions concerning governance, financial decisions and disciplinary matters within world football’s governing body.
According to a letter seen by BBC Sport, UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis accused FIFA of failing to address “a number of fundamental questions” and provide requested information about several controversial decisions.
The eight-page letter covers the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) investment project, the FIFA Peace Prize awarded to United States President Donald Trump, the disciplinary case involving US striker Folarin Balogun, funding for member associations, Infantino’s remuneration and arrangements surrounding the 2026 World Cup.
UEFA’s intervention followed Thursday’s FIFA Council meeting, during which Infantino apologised over his plan to sell part of FIFA’s commercial interests but did not fully explain how the proposal was developed or why the Council was not involved at the appropriate stage.
The European governing body said the withdrawal of FFE, the acknowledgement of mistakes and the announcement of possible governance reforms had failed to explain how the decisions were made.
It insisted that any refusal to disclose information must be justified individually, adding that its questions could not be postponed until the next FIFA Council meeting or replaced by promises of future reforms.
UEFA has not disclosed what action it would take if FIFA failed to meet the deadline.
The questions were initially raised during the FIFA Council meeting, where Football Association chair and FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt warned that Infantino’s position could come under further scrutiny if he failed to provide answers.
“If he doesn’t answer those questions, he’s not fit to be FIFA president,” she said.
FIFA has been approached for comment.
One of UEFA’s major concerns is FIFA’s decision to lift the immediate suspension imposed on Balogun following his dismissal at the World Cup.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee overturned the ban after Trump reportedly asked Infantino for the decision to be reviewed. FIFA has maintained that the committee acted independently.
FIFA’s legal committee is reviewing a proposal to amend the disciplinary code to prevent a similar situation, with an update expected in December.
UEFA wants FIFA to explain why the amendment is necessary and disclose what Trump asked Infantino to do, how the FIFA president responded and whether the case would have been reviewed without the intervention.
It is also seeking details of communications between Infantino, other FIFA officials and the disciplinary committee’s chair, as well as the full written reasons and evidence supporting the decision.
The European body further wants to know who decided that a single committee member should determine the case and what exceptional circumstances justified that approach.
Separately, UEFA has questioned why the Democratic Republic of Congo faced no disciplinary action over reports that the country fielded an ineligible player during World Cup qualifying.
The proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise is another central focus of UEFA’s demands.
The organisation wants FIFA to identify when the proposal was first considered, who initiated it, its intended purpose and the officials who authorised and worked on the project.
It is also seeking clarification on whether Infantino expected to hold any position or role in FFE during or after his presidency, alongside details of measures FIFA intends to introduce to prevent similar governance concerns.
UEFA has raised particular questions about the selection of Thrive Capital, linked to Joshua Kushner, as the project’s lead investor without a competitive tendering process.
The organisation wants FIFA to explain why the arrangement was handled under strict confidentiality and why an exclusivity agreement was signed without prior consultation with the FIFA Council.
Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
The European body has also asked who established the FIFA Peace Prize and who decided that Trump should receive the award.
UEFA is seeking clarification over FIFA’s proposed funding arrangements for its 211 member associations.
Infantino had told the associations they would receive $40 million if they supported FFE, with a 19 September deadline to accept the proposal and access an initial $20 million.
After the scheme was abandoned, UEFA and Concacaf called on FIFA to release at least $10 million from its reserves to each association.
Infantino subsequently agreed to increase football development funding by $3.4 billion, proposing to double planned distributions between 2027 and 2030 to $25 million per association.
UEFA wants FIFA to explain why the increased funding was presented alongside the proposed investment scheme and external financing rather than being funded directly from the governing body’s own resources.
It also questions why private investment was considered necessary given FIFA’s financial position.
The letter also seeks clarification over reports that Infantino received additional remuneration from FIFA’s US World Cup organising entity, FWC2026 US Inc.
The payments were reportedly not disclosed in FIFA’s annual report. UEFA wants details of their nature, amount, basis, approval process and tax treatment.
Other questions concern the 27-minute half-time interval during the World Cup final, mandatory hydration breaks during matches and a reported seven-year, $4 million lease for office space in Trump Tower, New York.
The lease reportedly involved Eric Trump, the US president’s son, and premises said to have remained unused for much of the year.
UEFA is seeking an explanation of the rationale for the arrangement and how the decision was approved.
UEFA has also raised concerns about the impartiality of the chair of FIFA’s electoral committee ahead of the next presidential election.
The European body questioned why the official attended the entire 2026 World Cup as an accredited individual, with FIFA reportedly covering his expenses for more than five weeks.
It is seeking clarification on the circumstances surrounding the attendance and the arrangements for meeting the costs.
The letter also requests a comprehensive list of VIP and VVIP guests at the tournament, including their names, positions and the reasons for their invitations.
The demands have intensified scrutiny of FIFA’s decision-making processes, financial arrangements and disciplinary procedures, with the 2 November deadline setting a new test of Infantino’s willingness to address UEFA’s concerns.
