UEFA has demanded FIFA provide key documents and respond to numerous specific questions on governance matters by early November. The European body's general secretary sent a multi-page letter seeking explanations for various controversies under the current FIFA leadership.
UEFA stated the questions need immediate answers and cannot be postponed. It warned that any refusal to share information must be individually justified with clear reasons. The letter came after initial questions were posed at a FIFA Council meeting, leading to a request for written submission.
FIFA Forward Enterprise and private investment
UEFA's inquiry centers on the discontinued FIFA Forward Enterprise private investment proposal. It asks when the concept was initially considered, who approved its development, and which FIFA officials participated. The letter questions why a deal giving exclusivity to an investment firm was signed without first consulting the FIFA Council and without a competitive selection process.
UEFA noted a connection between the investment firm's founder and a former US president who received a FIFA honor. It asks who created that award, for what reason, and who chose the recipient. The letter also seeks to know whether the FIFA president would have held any role in the proposed enterprise during or after his term.
Considering FIFA's robust finances, UEFA asked why seeking private investment was deemed necessary. It also questioned why significantly higher funding for member associations was linked to external investment instead of being paid directly from FIFA's own funds.
FIFA Peace Prize and disciplinary concerns
The letter demands all documents related to a suspended ban given to a USA striker at the World Cup. UEFA asked why the disciplinary committee decided to overturn the player's suspension and whether intervention by a former US president was the cause. It also questioned why the case was handled by one committee member and what special circumstances supported that choice.
Separately, UEFA asked why no action was taken against a national team after it reportedly fielded an ineligible player in World Cup qualifying, an offense that typically leads to disqualification.
Financial demands and electoral concerns
After the investment plan was canceled, UEFA and another confederation urged FIFA to pay a substantial sum from its reserves to each member association. Recently, the FIFA president agreed to propose a major increase in football development funding. UEFA notes that using reserve funds would significantly boost the planned distribution for member associations in the future.
The letter expresses concerns about the impartiality of the upcoming FIFA presidential election. It notes that the head of the electoral committee has a long-standing acquaintance with the FIFA president and had his costs paid by FIFA during an extended World Cup visit. UEFA asked if FIFA would consider having the committee chair step aside in favor of his deputy for the election period.
UEFA also seeks details on a reported payment made to the FIFA president by a World Cup organizing company, which was not included in FIFA's annual report. It asks the president to confirm if he informed board members about an investigation by US authorities shortly before a key vote. Recently, UEFA filed legal documents in the US asking for evidence from FIFA, warning it might file a criminal complaint in Switzerland.
