European governing body Uefa has told Fifa it must release key documents and answer all questions relating to its governance and decision-making by a deadline of 2 November.
At the Fifa Council on Thursday, president Gianni Infantino apologised for his World Cup sell-off plan – but failed to offer a full explanation for how the proposal was devised.
In the letter seen by BBC Sport, Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said that world football’s governing body had failed to address “a number of fundamental questions”.
“Others remain unanswered, and the information and documentation requested have not been provided,” it read.
The letter included eight pages containing 42 questions covering a number of issues, from the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) private investment, to the Fifa Peace Prize and the controversial suspended ban given to USA striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup.
“The withdrawal of FFE, the acknowledgement of mistakes and the announcement of ‘potential governance reforms’ do not answer how the relevant decisions were taken or why the Fifa Council was not involved at the appropriate stage,” it continued.
“Any refusal to disclose information or documents should be justified individually, with a clear explanation of the specific grounds relied upon.
“These questions require answers now. They cannot be deferred until the next meeting of the Fifa Council – nor can future governance reforms substitute for scrutiny of decisions already taken and accountability for them.”
Uefa did not outline what steps it intended to take should Fifa not meet the deadline, but will hope it adds to the pressure on Infantino ahead of November 18, the cut-off date for any candidates to confirm they are standing against him in next year’s presidential election.
The questions were first put to Infantino at the Fifa Council last week, with Infantino then asking that they were submitted in writing.
Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt – a Fifa vice-president – said afterwards that “if he doesn’t answer those questions, he’s not fit to be Fifa president”.
Fifa has been approached for comment.
BBC
