FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos target winning start against Poland

Gianni Infantino, the head of FIFA, delivered an apology to his most vocal critics during a critical meeting with FIFA's ruling council, but provided no new information or documents regarding the controversies plaguing the organization. No specifics were revealed about the $4.2 billion World Cup asset sale that was abandoned in July, nor did Infantino address the Folarin Balogun red-card incident during the World Cup and Donald Trump's alleged intervention to support the U.S. national team forward.

During the 3.5-hour meeting, Infantino requested that European soccer officials submit written questions for answers about the private equity plan for the World Cup, which had sparked global controversy. FIFA vice president Debbie Hewitt, who heads the English Football Association, stated that Infantino must respond to these questions. If he doesn't, Hewitt added, there would be no reason to retain him as FIFA president.

The European soccer governing body, UEFA, is spearheading efforts to remove Infantino either before or during the FIFA presidential election in March. So far, their attempts have not yielded the desired results. "No satisfactory answers were provided," said German soccer leader Bernd Neuendorf, a member of the eight UEFA delegates on the 37-member FIFA Council. Neuendorf emphasized the need for a leader who can restore FIFA's tarnished reputation.

Infantino began the meeting by acknowledging his Council colleagues for the surprise and outrage caused by his private investor scheme with Joshua Kushner, which was reported nine days after the World Cup final ended in July. "He expressed regret," noted Hewitt. Meanwhile, UEFA has sought court orders in the U.S. to gain access to evidence for a potential criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland.

The charges allege mismanagement of FIFA finances regarding the valuation of the planned subsidiary in charge of the tournament's commercial rights. According to reports, this subsidiary would have held at least a 20% stake in the venture led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law.