Infantino apologises to FIFA Council for World Cup plan and Balogun case

FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologised to the FIFA Council for mistakes in a secretive World Cup investment plan and the Folarin Balogun red-card case, but failed to provide details, angering European delegates.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologised to the FIFA Council for mistakes in two controversial matters. At Thursday's meeting, he acknowledged "mistakes" had been made regarding a secretive World Cup investment plan and the Folarin Balogun red-card case, but failed to provide the detailed explanations sought by European delegates.

The first controversy centres on the investment plan known as FIFA Forward Enterprise. This was a proposal to sell $4.2 billion worth of World Cup commercial rights to a consortium led by Joshua Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump. The plan was abandoned in July. Infantino stated the project was "just a proposal, so in no way a done deal". FIFA said details of the investor project remain confidential due to ongoing legal proceedings in the United States.

The second issue is the case involving Folarin Balogun, which concerned a controversial red card and an intervention by former US President Donald Trump. Infantino again provided no further details on this matter.

European Criticism Remains Firm

The lack of transparency drew sharp criticism, particularly from UEFA representatives. Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German Football Association, summarised the mood: "No satisfactory answers were provided." Debbie Hewitt, FIFA vice-president and head of the English Football Association, was more direct. "The man has to answer those questions. If he doesn't answer those questions, no, he is not fit to be the FIFA president," she said.

UEFA is leading attempts to remove Infantino before or at the FIFA presidential election in March. The European body has even requested US courts to obtain evidence for a criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland, alleging mismanagement of FIFA finances. Infantino asked European delegates to submit their questions in writing before the November 18 deadline to propose candidates for the election.

Financial Concessions and Internal Dynamics

Simultaneously, the president tried to placate members with financial concessions. He offered to add $15 million in FIFA funding for each of the 211 member associations over the next four years, on top of the existing $10 million per member through 2030. The FIFA Council consists of 37 members, including eight UEFA delegates, who are elected by their continental bodies for four-year terms. Each council member receives an annual stipend of $250,000, with continental presidents getting $300,000.

Not all are critical of the president. Ahmed Yahya, head of Mauritania's football federation, stated that African voters still see Infantino as the right person to lead football. The council will also review whether to continue awarding the peace prize created to give to Trump last December.

The current phase is described as the biggest crisis of Infantino's 11-year presidency. It overshadows a successful period for the Switzerland national team, which is in excellent form having won its last four matches, most recently a 3-0 victory over North Macedonia on October 6. Switzerland's next fixture is an away match against Slovenia on November 13. The team's top scorer this season is Johan Manzambi with three goals.