FIFA has confirmed it will grant council members access to internal files concerning President Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to sell stakes in upcoming World Cup tournaments. The initiative, previously dubbed the FIFA Forward Enterprise, was abandoned in July following a significant global backlash. Despite the disclosure, these materials remain shielded from public view.
Reports indicate that the 37 members of FIFA’s primary decision-making body will only be allowed to examine the records under strict protocols to preserve confidentiality. This process requires council members to register for in-person appointments at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, over the next two weeks.
This development follows a deadline set by UEFA, which had demanded transparency regarding the origins of the $4.2bn scheme and clarity on the approval process before the plan was scrapped. During a recent council meeting, Infantino apologized for the proposal but failed to provide substantive details on its formation, instead requesting that members submit their inquiries in writing. The deadline European football’s governing body, UEFA, had set for FIFA to release details about the $4.2bn scheme and answer questions about how the proposal came about and who approved, the news came out late on Monday.
The push for transparency comes as UEFA leads efforts to unseat the FIFA president ahead of the scheduled election on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. Infantino, who has led the organization since 2016, is currently campaigning for a fourth term that would extend his tenure through 2031.
