UEFA demands FIFA release documents on World Cup sell-off plan

UEFA has set a two-week deadline for FIFA to release documents relating to Gianni Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan, including the proposed sale of 20% of its commercial rights, plus other governance matters. The request comes in a letter from UEFA secretary general Theodore Theodoridis to FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafström, as reported by The Guardian.

The correspondence is accompanied by an eight-page document with more than 50 questions about how FIFA has handled dozens of issues over the past 12 months. It covers topics such as the Folarin Balogun affair, the peace prize, relations with Donald Trump, and arrangements for next year’s FIFA presidential election.

UEFA also wants explanations about major decisions taken in that period: moving the men’s World Cup draw from Las Vegas to Washington DC, the introduction of hydration breaks, and a 27-minute half-time at the World Cup final. The letter further raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and presses for answers on transparency and institutional accountability.