President Gianni Infantino has expressed regret to the Fifa Council over his proposed World Cup commercial deal, but critics say he cannot remain an effective leader unless he provides all relevant records and responds to crucial concerns.
The Fifa Council gathered in Zurich on Thursday for its first meeting since details emerged of Infantino’s confidential Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal. The abandoned plan would have transferred part of the organisation’s commercial rights to a private investment company.
During the three-and-a-half-hour session, Infantino was also questioned about the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s red-card punishment, the Fifa Peace Prize and financial support for national football associations.
Football Association chair and Fifa vice-president Debbie Hewitt said after the meeting that numerous issues had still not been addressed.
Hewitt said it was frustrating that the council received no answers to its specific requests, including its demand to see the FFE documents.
She said that when she asked why the material had not been provided, council members were instructed to submit their questions in writing.
Hewitt argued that Infantino must respond to those concerns, adding that failure to do so would make him unsuitable to continue as Fifa president. She said this view was also expressed during the meeting.
According to Hewitt, Infantino’s apology primarily acknowledged that he had failed to present the proposal to the council beforehand.
She added that if his regret was genuine, he should disclose the requested information to council members.
When asked whether Uefa’s position on Infantino had changed, Hewitt said her own stance remained the same.
She explained that no fresh information had emerged to alter her opinion, although she acknowledged that the president had shown remorse.
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