UEFA Seeks U.S. Court Approval For Criminal Case Against Infantino Over FFE Plans
FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt has demanded that President Gianni Infantino release all files related to the failed $20 billion World Cup sell-off and the controversial reversal of Folarin Balogun's red card, as the Swiss executive faces mounting calls to resign ahead of next year's election.
Infantino loses support as FA and KNVB withdraw backing over World Cup sell-off scandal...
FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt has called for the release of files relating to the proposed World Cup sell-off and the Folarin Balogun case.
Hewitt, who chairs the English FA and serves as FIFA vice-president, has urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to disclose all documents linked to the World Cup sell-off plans and the controversy surrounding USA striker Folarin Balogun, according to reports in the English media.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under sustained scrutiny after the world governing body attempted to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors in a bid to raise $20 billion. The proposal was shelved in early August but has cost Infantino support ahead of next year's presidential elections.
After FIFA announced on Wednesday that the failed 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' proposal would be presented to the FIFA Council, vice-president Debbie Hewitt called on Infantino to release all documents related to the sell-off plans before October 15th, according to The Times' Martyn Ziegler.
Hewitt made the call in a letter sent to Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, who has publicly opposed Infantino over the sell-off scheme. Hewitt, who also chairs the English FA, expressed disappointment that Infantino has not been in contact with the FIFA Council, the organisation's highest decision-making body, since announcing the withdrawal of the 'FFE' plans on August 5th.
Hewitt called for an independent review of the 'FFE' proposal, a move already demanded by UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC in a joint letter that called for Infantino to resign.
In addition to the 'FFE' files, Hewitt also demanded the release of documents related to the overturning of USA striker Folarin Balogun's red card ahead of the USMNT's round-of-16 tie against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Balogun had been sent off for serious foul play in the round-of-32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but FIFA rescinded the card and lifted his suspension following a phone call from US President Donald Trump. Infantino defended the decision at the time, saying it came from “independent judicial bodies.”
Infantino isolated
Gianni Infantino has seen his backing steadily erode amid the FIFA Forward Enterprise scandal, with UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC jointly demanding the Swiss executive's resignation.
Several football associations have also withdrawn their support, including Hewitt's FA and the Dutch KNVB, which has called for a global summit to discuss wide-ranging reform within FIFA.
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| Debbie Hewitt (L) stands alongside Gianni Infantino ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final between Norway and England |
In late August, UEFA asked a U.S. federal court for permission to obtain testimony and documents from FIFA entities in Florida for use in a planned criminal complaint. The European governing body is considering criminal proceedings against Infantino, alleging he bypassed FIFA's governance processes and failed to consult the FIFA Council, confederations or member associations.
The French and Greek FAs have joined the growing list of member associations to withdraw their backing for Infantino in recent weeks, while German DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said it was “important that this Infantino system is brought to an end.”
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