FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologised to the organisation's ruling council on Thursday for mistakes in handling a secretive investment proposal linked to the World Cup but failed to satisfy critics seeking explanations and considering efforts to remove him from office.
Football officials attended the meeting in Zurich hoping to get answers about two major controversies involving Infantino this year: a proposed $4.2 billion sale of World Cup commercial rights that was abandoned and the red-card case involving US forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup, in which US President Donald Trump intervened.
However, European delegates said they left the three-and-a-half-hour meeting disappointed, citing a lack of clear answers on both issues.
“No satisfactory answers were provided,” German football federation chief Bernd Neuendorf told reporters. He is one of eight European representatives on the 37-member FIFA Council, which is chaired by Infantino.
Infantino presented no documents on the proposed $4.2 billion investment deal, which he abandoned in July following strong opposition, particularly from Europe. He also did not explain the Balogun red-card case or Trump's intervention, European delegates said.
FIFA will review whether to continue awarding its peace prize, which was introduced and presented to Trump last December.
Infantino further frustrated European officials by asking them to submit their questions in writing during their only meeting before the Nov 18 deadline for nominating a challenger in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March.
“The man has to answer those questions. If he doesn't answer those questions, no, he is not fit to be the FIFA president,” said Debbie Hewitt, head of the English Football Association and a FIFA vice president.
She said Infantino appeared to offer his apology with some remorse.
FIFA says investment details remain confidential
European officials pressed Infantino to provide written evidence about the proposed private equity investment involving Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The plan, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, was intended to establish a commercial rights subsidiary for the World Cup, with investors led by Kushner holding at least a 20% stake.
The proposal sparked a major dispute within world football and became the biggest crisis of Infantino's nearly 11-year presidency.
Infantino did not speak to reporters after the meeting but released a video statement apologising for mistakes in communication and consultation over the project, which he said had led to several consequences.
He stressed that the investment plan had only been a proposal and was never a finalised deal.
FIFA said in a separate statement that details of the project remained confidential because of ongoing legal proceedings in the United States.
The FIFA Council is the organisation's main decision-making body. Its members are elected by their respective continental football confederations for four-year terms, with most serving as heads of their national football associations.
FIFA pays council members an annual allowance of $250,000, while continental confederation presidents receive $300,000.
UEFA pursues legal action against FIFA leadership
European football's governing body, UEFA, is leading efforts to remove Infantino before or during the March presidential election.
Infantino angered football officials in Europe, North America and Asia by developing the Kushner investment proposal in secret for months. The move reinforced concerns within UEFA that he pursues major initiatives without consulting other football leaders.
“We need a person of integrity, someone who can be expected to restore the reputation of the association, which has undoubtedly been lost,” Neuendorf said.
UEFA has also asked US courts for permission to obtain evidence for a criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland. The filings raise allegations of possible financial mismanagement over the valuation of the proposed subsidiary responsible for World Cup commercial rights.
FIFA's lawyers have sought to block or delay the evidence requests, describing UEFA's actions as a “smear campaign”.
African officials back Infantino
Support from African football federations could prove important in the presidential election. Africa has 54 of FIFA's 211 member associations, and its voters have played a significant role in leadership contests over the past five decades.
Ahmed Yahya, a FIFA Council member and head of Mauritania's football federation, said Infantino remained the right person to lead the organisation.
Infantino's proposal to provide an additional $15 million in funding to each of FIFA's 211 member associations over the next four years made progress on Thursday. Each association was already set to receive $10 million from FIFA through 2030.
Yahya said Infantino was helping develop football worldwide, adding that his experience on the African continent informed his support.
The FIFA presidential election will take place on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. The country's football chief, Fouzi Lekjaa, is an influential council member and an ally of Infantino.
Morocco will co-host the 2030 men's World Cup with Spain and Portugal. It is also competing with Spain to host the tournament's final, a decision that could influence political alliances ahead of the FIFA election.
Next FIFA Council meeting scheduled in Qatar
The FIFA Council is expected to meet next on Dec 16 in Doha, Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup and remains supportive of Infantino.
Azerbaijan is another ally. Its senior football official, Elkhan Mammadov, is part of Infantino's inner circle, and the country will host a global under-15 boys' tournament later this month, providing a potential opportunity for election campaigning.
FIFA will also hold an extraordinary congress on Nov 23, five days after the presidential candidate nomination deadline, to confirm the hosts of the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cups.
The only bids are a joint proposal from the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica for the 2031 tournament, and a bid from the four United Kingdom football associations for the 2035 edition.