Infantino Fails to Win Over Critics Despite Apology

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologized to his harshest critics, yet he failed to provide any new information or documentation regarding the most sensitive issues facing the organization. This occurred during a crucial meeting of the FIFA Council—the body’s top governing authority—on Thursday.

Critics had specifically requested documentation concerning a $4.2 billion plan to sell shares in the World Cup—a proposal Infantino introduced in July before subsequently abandoning it. No documents pertaining to this matter were presented at the meeting.

Furthermore, no information was provided regarding the case of Folarin Balogun’s red card during the World Cup, nor was there any mention of how U.S. President Donald Trump intervened to assist the American forward.

However, one decision was reached: FIFA will review whether or not to proceed with the presentation of a "peace award" to Trump, which had been prepared for December.

European football officials demanded written evidence from Infantino, as his secretive, private investment plan for the World Cup has sparked global division. In response, Infantino requested that they submit their questions in writing—a detail disclosed by FIFA Vice President Debbie Hewitt following the three-and-a-half-hour meeting.

Hewitt, who also heads the English Football Association, stated, "He must answer these questions. If he fails to provide answers, then no, he is not fit to be the president of FIFA."

UEFA, the governing body for European football, is spearheading efforts to oust Infantino, aiming for his removal either before or during the FIFA presidential election scheduled for next March. Nothing occurred during Thursday’s meeting to suggest a shift in this stance.

Bernd Neuendorf, head of the German Football Association, is one of eight UEFA representatives serving on the 37-member FIFA Council, which is presided over by Infantino. This marked the Council’s first meeting since the current crisis began. Neuendorf stated, "No satisfactory answer was provided."

He further told reporters, "We need an honest person—someone who can be expected to restore the organization's reputation. There is no doubt that this reputation has been lost."

At the beginning of the meeting, Infantino did apologize to his colleagues on the Council. He had made plans without informing them, which sparked significant outrage. News of this private arrangement—involving investor Joshua Kushner—leaked in July, nine days after the World Cup final. Hewitt remarked, "He spoke with a degree of contrition."

UEFA has also approached a U.S. court, seeking authorization to gather evidence for criminal charges against Infantino in Switzerland. Documents submitted to the court allege potential irregularities in FIFA’s financial management. The allegations center on the valuation of a proposed subsidiary entity that was intended to oversee the tournament's commercial rights.

Investors led by Joshua Kushner—the brother of Jared Kushner, who served as an envoy and is the son-in-law of Donald Trump—were set to own at least 20 percent of that entity.