OMM Newsroom
FIFA has agreed to provide access to confidential internal documents related to the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project. UEFA has demanded disclosure of how the decision was made to sell private investors a stake in the commercial rights to the football World Cup, setting Nov. 2 as the deadline.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously apologised for the project at a council meeting but declined to give a detailed explanation, asking instead for questions to be submitted in writing. This prompted dissatisfaction among several associations.
Access to the documents
Hours before the deadline, FIFA Secretary General Matthias Grafström told council members that “key documents” would be made available for review. The documents will not be shared digitally: officials will have to examine them in person at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich under strict confidentiality protocols. They will have two weeks to register their interest.
FIFA has justified the restrictions by citing legal obligations and the need to protect sensitive information. Sources said the organisation considered UEFA’s demand for answers to more than 100 questions within two weeks “impossible to fulfil.” Preparations for youth tournaments and an extraordinary congress were cited as reasons for the workload.
Other disagreements with UEFA
FIFA’s lawyers have advised caution because of legal proceedings in the United States. UEFA is seeking the disclosure of evidence in that case that could lead to criminal complaints in Switzerland.
UEFA’s letter also raised the awarding of the first FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump and the reversal of the suspension of United States national team forward Folarin Balogun ahead of a 2026 World Cup playoff match against Belgium. Pressure on Infantino is mounting ahead of elections: the deadline for nominations is Nov. 18, and he intends to seek re-election in March 2027.
