FIFA will answer UEFA's Infantino questions but sets no date for a reply

FIFA has said it will address the questions raised by European football's governing body about Gianni Infantino's leadership, but it has not committed to answering before the 2 November deadline set by UEFA. That date lies just sixteen days before the window closes for submitting candidacies for next year's FIFA presidential election.

• UEFA wants written answers on Infantino's World Cup private investor plan and Donald Trump's involvement in FIFA business.
• European representatives have set a 2 November deadline, before the candidate registration cut-off.
• FIFA says it will reply, but has not confirmed whether it will meet that schedule.
• UEFA questions the independence of electoral committee chair Bruno Chiomento and calls for his recusal.
• The European body is looking for an alternative candidate to challenge Infantino.

Why UEFA has set a 2 November deadline for written answers

UEFA sent a letter on Monday, signed by secretary general Theodore Theodoridis and addressed to his FIFA counterpart Mattias Grafstrom, on behalf of European members of the FIFA Council. It seeks clarity on Infantino's controversial World Cup private investor plan, the influence of United States President Donald Trump over FIFA's business, and a range of other issues that cannot be postponed until the next Council meeting, scheduled for 16 December.

The European delegates had already raised their concerns directly with Infantino during a Council meeting in Zurich a week earlier, before being told to put their questions in writing. The 2 November deadline reflects the proximity of the candidacy cut-off for next year's presidential vote.

What European representatives want explained

The letter covers a wide range of topics, including the Folarin Balogun case, the World Cup final half-time show and the introduction of hydration breaks during the most recent tournament. The main source of friction remains Infantino's handling of the private investor plan, which has broken the confidence European officials had in the FIFA president.

That loss of trust has led UEFA to announce it will identify a credible alternative candidate to stand against Infantino in next year's election. Monday's letter also raises concerns about the independence of that electoral process.

The call for Bruno Chiomento to step aside

One of the most delicate points in the letter concerns the chair of the electoral committee, Bruno Chiomento. UEFA notes that he has known Infantino for twenty years and spent the full five weeks of the World Cup with all expenses covered by FIFA. That closeness, according to European representatives, undermines the independence and perceived impartiality of the process.

In view of the importance of ensuring the independence and perceived impartiality of the electoral process, would FIFA consider Mr Chiomento's recusal and replacement by his deputy for the duration of the presidential election?

FIFA points to confidentiality instead of giving dates

A FIFA spokesperson insisted that replies will be given, but made no mention of the 2 November deadline. The governing body points out that its Governance Regulations state that Council meetings and their associated documentation are confidential.

FIFA says that respecting those regulations is a way of respecting the Council itself and its individual members, and that it will not be drawn into exchanges with third parties that would undermine that confidentiality. The statement leaves open whether the explanations will arrive before the candidacy registration window closes.

The countdown to the FIFA presidential election

The standoff between UEFA and FIFA comes at a decisive moment in the institutional calendar. With European officials marking 2 November as their deadline, any delay in responses could hamper the ability of Infantino's critics to put together an alternative candidacy with proper guarantees. The next Council meeting does not take place until 16 December, leaving little manoeuvring room if answers are deferred until then.

UEFA has taken a firm step by demanding concrete commitments on governance and on FIFA's relationship with influential political and economic actors. The ball is now in the court of an organisation that, for the moment, is hiding behind confidentiality.