FIFA has confirmed it will release “key documents” regarding President Gianni Infantino’s aborted plan to sell stakes in future World Cups, but the disclosures will remain strictly confidential. According to British media reports, the 37 members of the FIFA Council, the governing body’s main decision-making arm, will be granted access to the paperwork under “strict protocols to preserve confidentiality.” This move comes as a direct response to the intense scrutiny following the proposal’s sudden withdrawal in July.
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The restricted access protocol requires council members to register for in-person appointments in Zurich, Switzerland, within the next two weeks to view the selected files. The documents pertain to the “FIFA Forward Enterprise” scheme, a controversial $4.2 billion initiative that aimed to privatize portions of the World Cup rights. The news emerged late Monday, coinciding with the deadline set by UEFA for FIFA to provide transparency on how the proposal was developed and who authorized it before the worldwide backlash forced its cancellation.
This development follows a tense UEFA council meeting where Infantino publicly apologized for the proposal, acknowledging the significant friction it caused within the football community. While UEFA sought full public disclosure to answer questions about the scheme’s origins and approval process, FIFA’s decision to limit access to an in-person, confidential review highlights the ongoing tension between the two governing bodies. The episode underscores the delicate balance FIFA is attempting to strike between financial innovation and maintaining the integrity of the sport’s most prestigious tournament.
Source: Yahoo Sports
