Infantino: FIFA's reputation has been damaged and we need someone to restore it
Amman3 min read
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologized to his critics on Thursday during a meeting of the federation's council in Zurich, but he did not provide new details or documents regarding the issues that sparked widespread criticism, most notably an investment plan to sell World Cup rights for $2.4 billion.
The meeting did not present documents related to the investment plan that Infantino proposed before withdrawing it in July, nor did it provide details regarding the red card incident for American player Folarin Balogun during the World Cup, or how US President Donald Trump intervened to help the national team striker.
In contrast, FIFA will consider the issue of continuing to grant the peace award it introduced last December, which was presented to Trump.
Hewitt: Infantino is not fit to lead FIFA if he does not answer questions
FIFA Vice President and Chair of the English Football Association, Debbie Hewitt, said that Infantino asked European officials to submit their questions in writing, after they demanded written evidence and documents regarding his plan to involve private sector investors in the World Cup, a plan that sparked widespread controversy.
Hewitt added that Infantino must answer those questions, saying: "If he doesn't, he is certainly not fit to hold the position of FIFA president."
Hewitt had previously demanded the disclosure of documents related to the investment plan, while the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) filed legal requests in the United States to obtain them, a move that FIFA objected to.
Hewitt pointed out that Infantino apologized during Thursday's meeting for not presenting the investment proposal to the council, expressing his deep regret for that.
She said, according to the British news agency "PA Media," that she did not receive new information that would change her previous convictions, except for the FIFA president expressing his regret for what happened and pledging again to provide the requested information.
German FA President: We need someone with integrity
For his part, the President of the German Football Association, Bernd Neuendorf, one of the eight UEFA delegates on the 37-member FIFA Council, said the meeting did not provide satisfactory answers regarding the issues raised.
Neuendorf told reporters: "We need someone with integrity, someone who can restore the reputation of the international federation, which has undoubtedly been damaged."
Thursday's meeting is the first for the FIFA Council since the outbreak of the crisis related to the investment plan proposed by Infantino.
