English FA calls for Infantino to release World Cup sell-off documents

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(FILES) FIFA President Gianni Infantino makes a speech during the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok on May 17, 2024. Gianni Infantino will stand in next the March 2027 FIFA presidential election, despite the backlash over his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cup, football’s global governing body announced September 6, 2026. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP)

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The chair of the English Football Association has called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to release all the documentation relating to the abandoned plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors.

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Infantino’s proposal was short-lived after a fierce backlash from across the sport, with European governing body UEFA threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions until it was shelved.

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FA chair Debbie Hewitt, who is also a FIFA vice-president and a member of the FIFA Council, has written to Infantino asking for full disclosure of all information relating to the scheme before the FIFA Council next meets on October 15.

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Hewitt has also called for the release of documents relating to the decision to suspend a ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup, which followed a phone call from US President Donald Trump to Infantino.

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Infantino apologised over the process in regard to the private investor plan in August and a statement from FIFA’s management board pledged there would be a review but has not at any stage confirmed who is undertaking that investigation.

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UEFA said it has “lost confidence” in Infantino and has made legal applications in the US court system seeking disclosure of documents related to the private investor plan.

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UEFA has also committed to identifying a credible candidate to run against Infantino at the FIFA Congress in March, with November 18 the deadline for candidates to be submitted.

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Infantino confirmed earlier this month his intention to seek re-election.

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AFP

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