Infantino apologises to Fifa Council - but told he's still not fit to lead

President Gianni Infantino apologized to the Fifa Council for his World Cup sell-off plan, yet was informed he is unfit to lead without releasing all documents and answering crucial questions. The Fifa Council convened in Zurich for the first time since Infantino's secret Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal leaked. Under FFE, a portion of football's global governing body's commercial rights would have been allocated to a private investment firm.

During a three-and-a-half-hour meeting, Infantino also faced queries about US striker Folarin Balogun's suspended red-card ban, the Fifa Peace Prize, and funding for national associations. FA chair Debbie Hewitt, a Fifa vice-president, stated that many questions remained unanswered, citing the lack of access to the FFE papers as a disappointment.

Hewitt emphasized that Infantino must answer these questions before being deemed fit to lead, a sentiment echoed by UEFA, football's governing body, which has called for Infantino's resignation and has filed criminal legal proceedings against him. Uefa has prepared a claim in three US courts for the release of all FFE-related documents.

Hewitt acknowledged that Infantino's apology was for not bringing the matter to the council. FIFA president Infantino is eligible to stand for re-election as Fifa president for a third term in March, but no credible challenger has emerged yet. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been suggested as a potential rival, but his willingness to stand against Infantino remains uncertain.

Uefa, along with other opponents, must identify a candidate to put their name on the ballot by November 18. Hewitt highlighted the importance of having a rival president to facilitate a democratic election among FIFA's 211 member associations.