Infantino Apologizes to FIFA Council in Zurich but Hands Over No FFE Documents; Hewitt Says He Must Answer or Go

Since Infantino's secret plan to hand part of FIFA's commercial rights to a private investment group surfaced in July, European federations have demanded answers. On Thursday, Oct. 15, they got an apology in Zurich and not much else.

The FIFA Council met for three and a half hours. It was the body's first meeting since the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal came to light. Infantino opened by apologizing for blindsiding his colleagues, according to FIFA vice president Debbie Hewitt, who also chairs England's Football Association.

"He said that with some contrition," Hewitt said.

What Infantino did not provide

The FFE plan, valued at $4.2 billion, would have created a subsidiary to run tournament commercial rights, with investors led by Joshua Kushner holding at least 20%. Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law. Infantino dropped it within days of the news breaking.

Council members asked for the FFE papers. They did not get them.

"One of the disappointing things is that we didn't get answers to anything that we had specifically requested, for example getting the papers from FFE," Hewitt said. "I asked the question 'why not?' and we were asked to submit those questions in writing."

Infantino also gave no details on the Folarin Balogun red-card case at the World Cup. That case involves whether Trump intervened to help the U.S. forward. He was also questioned on funding for national associations.

One concrete outcome: FIFA will review whether to keep awarding the FIFA Peace Prize, which was created last December to be given to Trump.

The critics

Hewitt said the apology itself was narrow. "What he really apologised for was not bringing it to the council. If you regret it that deeply, share it with us."

She was blunt about the consequences. "I think the man has to answer those questions and if he doesn't answer those questions now, he's not fit to be Fifa president," Hewitt said, adding that she conveyed that view in the meeting. She said nothing had shifted for her. "I've no new information that makes me feel any differently, other than we do have a president who is apologetic."

German federation president Bernd Neuendorf is one of eight UEFA delegates on the 37-member Council, which Infantino chairs. "No satisfactory answers were provided," he told reporters. "We need a person of integrity, someone who can be expected to restore the reputation of the association, which has undoubtedly been lost."

Infantino's position and the legal front

Infantino's stated position, as relayed by Hewitt, is that he regrets not taking the plan to the Council. He answered the demand for papers by asking members to put their questions in writing. The plan was scrapped within days of becoming public, and Infantino has said he is open to talks over FIFA reform.

UEFA is not waiting on that process. It has prepared criminal legal proceedings against Infantino in Switzerland and filed claims in three U.S. courts seeking all documents related to FFE. The court filings allege possible mismanagement of FIFA finances in the value Infantino put on the planned subsidiary. These are allegations. No charges have been announced.

UEFA is leading efforts to remove Infantino before or at the March presidential election, where he is seeking a third term.

The March vote

No credible challenger has emerged. Former Tottenham and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega says he intends to run, but it appears unlikely he will gather the five letters of support from member associations that a candidacy requires. Senior figures in European football have told BBC Sport they want former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger to run. Whether Wenger would give up his FIFA role to do so is unclear.

The next move is a procedural one. Hewitt and the UEFA delegates must now submit their questions in writing. Whether Infantino answers them, and releases the FFE papers, will determine if the Council fight reaches the March election as a campaign issue or ends up in a Swiss courtroom.