FIFA grants council members access to confidential World Cup stake-sale files

FIFA has agreed to let its council members view confidential documents regarding a failed plan to sell private equity stakes in the World Cup following intense pressure from UEFA.

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström informed council members in a letter that they may inspect material related to the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) project. According to The Guardian and BBC Sport, the documents must be viewed in person at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich under strict confidentiality protocols. Members have until 16 November to apply for a viewing appointment.

The move follows a formal demand from UEFA, which had set a deadline of Monday for FIFA to disclose details on the controversial proposal. While FIFA is granting access to these files, it has not yet provided full answers to a extensive list of questions from UEFA. The Guardian reports there are over 50 questions, while BBC Sport puts the number at more than 100, covering topics from governance to the awarding of a peace prize to Donald Trump.

FIFA reportedly viewed UEFA’s two-week deadline as unfeasible due to other commitments, such as organizing a youth tournament in Azerbaijan. Sources told the BBC that legal action initiated by UEFA in the United States has also limited FIFA’s ability to respond to certain inquiries. UEFA previously applied to U.S. courts for document releases with the intent of potentially filing a criminal complaint in Switzerland.

The 16 November deadline for document inspection falls just two days before candidates for the next FIFA election must declare themselves. The Guardian reports that UEFA and its allies are nearing the identification of a candidate to challenge President Gianni Infantino in the March election. FIFA has previously characterized UEFA’s actions as harassment and denied any wrongdoing by Infantino.

Background

The Fifa Forward Enterprise was a proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. President Gianni Infantino recently apologized for the failed plan but had not initially provided a detailed explanation of how it was developed.