UEFA Awaits FIFA Response to 42 Governance Questions as Deadline Looms

UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis requested clarity on 42 areas of FIFA governance, including Gianni Infantino's abandoned World Cup commercial plans.

UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis set a November 2 deadline for FIFA to provide substantive responses to 42 specific areas of concern regarding Gianni Infantino’s presidency. As of midday Central European Time on Monday, the Press Association reported that no response had been received. The formal inquiry, sent on October 19, follows an October 15 FIFA Council meeting where members, including FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt, were instructed to submit their verbal questions in writing.

The consolidated list of queries seeks clarity on Infantino's abandoned proposal to involve private investment in a company managing World Cup commercial affairs. Additionally, the correspondence requests documentation concerning the Folarin Balogun disciplinary case and demands explanations regarding potential conflicts of interest. Theodoridis stated in the letter that these matters require immediate answers and cannot be deferred until the next FIFA Council meeting scheduled for December 16.

FIFA previously addressed the inquiry on October 20, citing governance regulations that mandate confidentiality for Council documentation. A spokesperson indicated that while the organization intends to reply to its members, it will not comment on internal communications to third parties or the media. This dispute occurs as UEFA pledges to identify a credible challenger to Infantino for the March presidential election, with a candidacy submission deadline of November 18.