FIFA president Gianni Infantino has apologised to the organisation’s Council over his controversial World Cup sell-off proposal, but has been warned he is “not fit” to lead unless he answers outstanding questions.
Infantino faced criticism during a three-and-a-half-hour meeting in Zurich on Thursday, the first gathering of the FIFA Council since details of his secret FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan emerged.
The proposal, which was abandoned within days of becoming public, would have handed a portion of FIFA’s commercial rights to a private investment firm.
However, Football Association chair and FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt insisted Infantino’s apology was not enough, demanding the release of documents relating to the project.
Infantino warned he is ‘not fit’ to lead FIFA
Hewitt described Thursday’s discussions as the “most robust, most frank, most open Council meeting” she had experienced, but expressed frustration that several important questions remained unanswered.
“One of the disappointing things is that we didn’t get answers to anything that we had specifically requested – for example getting the papers from FFE,” she said.
“I asked the question ‘why not?’ – and we were asked to submit those questions in writing.
“I think the man has to answer those questions and if he doesn’t answer those questions now, he’s not fit to be Fifa president – and that was what was shared in the meeting.
“What he really apologised for was not bringing it to the Council. If you regret it that deeply, share it with us,” she added.
The FA chair also demanded explanations surrounding the suspended red-card ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup and the FIFA Peace Prize.
“The responses to those questions, which I still don’t have answers to, will determine from my personal point of view whether or not Gianni is the right candidate,” she said.
UEFA maintains pressure on Infantino over FFE controversy
UEFA has been among Infantino’s strongest critics since the FFE proposal emerged, repeatedly calling for the FIFA president to resign.
European football’s governing body has prepared criminal legal proceedings against Infantino and lodged claims in three US courts seeking the release of documents connected to the abandoned project.
Hewitt believes the FIFA Council must be given access to those papers before determining whether further action is necessary.
“Those papers coming to Council are a crucial next part of us feeling comfortable as to what, if any, criminal proceedings need to take place,” she said.
“From my position, nothing has shifted. I’ve no new information that makes me feel any differently, other than we do have a president who is apologetic.”
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