English FA chair urges Gianni Infantino to publish World Cup investment documents

The chair of the English Football Association has asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to release all documents connected to the abandoned proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors.

Debbie Hewitt, who is also a FIFA vice-president and a member of the FIFA Council, has written to Infantino requesting full disclosure before the council’s next meeting on October 15.

The proposal was withdrawn after strong opposition from across football. UEFA threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions unless the plan was abandoned.

Hewitt has also requested the publication of documents concerning the decision to suspend a ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.

That decision followed a phone call between United States President Donald Trump and Infantino.

The FIFA president apologised in August for the process surrounding the private investor proposal. A statement from FIFA’s management board said the matter would be reviewed, but FIFA has not confirmed who is conducting the investigation.

Hewitt’s request adds to pressure on Infantino to provide greater transparency about both issues before the FIFA Council meets.

UEFA has said it has “lost confidence” in Infantino and has begun legal proceedings in the United States seeking the disclosure of documents relating to the plan to sell part of the World Cup to private investors.

The European governing body has also committed to finding a credible candidate to challenge Infantino at the FIFA Congress in March. Candidates must be submitted by November 18.

Infantino confirmed earlier this month that he intends to stand for re-election.