Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt has called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to release documents relating to the governing body’s controversial plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup.
According to BBC Sport, Hewitt, who is also a FIFA vice-president, made the demand in a letter to Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom.
She also requested a written explanation for FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-match ban imposed on United States forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.
Hewitt wants the documents and explanation made available before the next FIFA Council meeting scheduled for October 15.
The requests come amid growing questions about FIFA’s governance and the way some major decisions have been handled.
Pressure over scrapped FIFA plan
Infantino has faced increasing scrutiny over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.
The plan involved creating a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Under the proposal, a 21 per cent stake in the new company would have been sold to a private investment company.
However, FIFA eventually scrapped the plan following opposition from several national football associations.
Hewitt has called for an independent review into how the proposal was developed, those involved in it and the process used to offer the private investment opportunity.
The dispute has also contributed to tensions between FIFA and UEFA.
UEFA has begun preparing legal action in three US courts over the proposal and has demanded the release of documents concerning the plan.
FIFA has rejected the criticism and accused UEFA of conducting a “smear campaign” against Infantino and the organisation’s leadership.
Infantino, 56, is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president in March. Potential challengers have until November 18 to put forward alternative candidates.
Questions over Balogun’s suspension
The Football Association had also raised concerns about the handling of Balogun’s suspension during the World Cup.
The United States forward received a straight red card for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic during his side’s 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32.
The dismissal carried an automatic one-match suspension, which would normally have ruled Balogun out of the last-16 meeting with Belgium.
However, FIFA later suspended the ban for one year, allowing the striker to play.
FIFA cited a rule permitting disciplinary sanctions to be suspended but did not give a detailed explanation for the decision.
The FA subsequently requested documents relating to the ruling and raised concerns about possible political intervention.
United States President Donald Trump later confirmed that he had contacted Infantino and asked for the ban to be reviewed.
The incident added to wider questions about FIFA’s decision-making process.
Infantino faces scrutiny
The controversy over Balogun’s suspension was followed by the dispute over the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.
UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation subsequently expressed concerns about FIFA’s handling of the issue and its impact on trust in the organisation.
Several national associations, including England, Wales and Scotland, have reportedly withdrawn previous letters of support for Infantino’s re-election.
However, the confederations representing Africa, South America and Oceania have continued to express support for him.
Following the decision to abandon the FFE proposal, Infantino held talks with the FIFA management board in Rabat, Morocco.
The FIFA Council has yet to receive a full explanation of the proposal.
Hewitt’s latest request is expected to put the issue back before the council when it meets on October 15.