Sports17 September, 20262 min read
Debbie Hewitt Demands Gianni Infantino Release World Cup Sell-Off And Balogun Files
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Debbie Hewitt demands FIFA president release all documents on World Cup private-ownership sell-off. She also seeks explanation for Balogun red-card reversal by FIFA.
7 outlets told this the same way.
Documents demanded before Council
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing pressure to release all documents relating to his aborted World Cup sell-off plan, with Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt demanding the material be made available before the next FIFA Council meeting on 15 October. Hewitt’s letter, also sent to FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, asks that the FIFA Council receive a written explanation for the cancelled suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun at the World Cup.
“Infantino should make all documents available before the next Fifa Council meeting, which is on 15 October.”
The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal would have created a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights of all competitions, including World Cups, with 21% sold off to a private investment company, before it was scrapped following widespread opposition from national associations. Hewitt also called for an independent review of how FFE was conceived, by whom, and how the private investment was put to tender, as UEFA began preparing criminal legal proceedings against Infantino at three US courts over the FFE plan.
Balogun row and Trump call
The Balogun controversy has become central to the transparency demands, after the Football Association requested the release of documents about his overturned ban during the World Cup. Folarin Balogun, 25, was shown a straight red card for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic in the 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32, and FIFA then said the automatic one-match ban would be suspended for a year.
The BBC reported that no reasoning was provided beyond citing a rule which allows punishments to be suspended, and it said US President Donald Trump later confirmed he called Infantino asking for Balogun’s ban to be reviewed. Hewitt’s letter also accuses FIFA of failures in governance and a breakdown in culture, while FIFA hit back at UEFA’s legal action by accusing it of a "smear campaign against it and its leadership".
UEFA legal action and election
As the dispute widens, UEFA began preparing criminal legal proceedings against Infantino at three US courts over the FFE plan, and the BBC said FIFA hit back against the litigation.
“Infantino's plans to sell a stake in the World Cup ‘struck at the very heart of the principles of the game.’”
The BBC also reported that Infantino, 56, will stand for election for a fourth time in March, with his opponents having until 18 November to find an alternative candidate.
Sky News said Hewitt is seeking transparency on the scandals before the next FIFA Council meeting in mid-October, and it described her call for an independent review into Infantino’s attempt to sell off the World Cup.
ESPN added that UEFA vice president Laura McAllister told ESPN that Infantino’s plans to sell a stake in the World Cup "struck at the very heart of the principles of the game," while ESPN said FIFA’s council next meets on Oct. 15.