Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt has written to Fifa president Gianni Infantino requesting an independent investigation into plans for private investment in the World Cup and how the disciplinary case of Folarin Balogun was handled, the Press Association understands.
The move increases the pressure on Infantino following opposition from three continental confederations to his proposal. The plan aimed to establish a commercial entity to manage Fifa tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, and offload a 20 per cent stake to private investors.
Hewitt’s letter demanding answers was first revealed by The Times on Thursday. Alongside her FA role, she serves as a Fifa vice-president and holds a seat on the Fifa Council.
It is understood by the Press Association that the correspondence requests an external review regarding the private investor scheme, as well as explanation over Fifa’s disciplinary committee opting to suspend a one-game ban handed to United States forward Balogun during the tournament.
The decision to pause Balogun’s suspension came before US president Donald Trump admitted he personally contacted Infantino to request that the red card given to the forward against Bosnia and Herzegovina be re-examined.
Although Infantino issued an apology on 5 August regarding the procedures surrounding the private investment strategy, and Fifa’s management board pledged an evaluation would occur, the governing body has never confirmed who is carrying out the review.
European football body Uefa has stated it has “lost confidence” in Infantino, launching legal proceedings within the US court system to compel the disclosure of files relating to the private investment scheme.
Uefa has additionally committed to backing a viable opponent to challenge Infantino at the Fifa Congress next March, ahead of the official nomination deadline on 18 November.
Infantino has already announced his intention to stand for re-election, retaining robust backing across South America, Africa and several nations in the Middle East, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, the Belgian football association (RBFA) continues to examine its legal avenues regarding the Balogun situation, as the suspended sanction permitted the American attacker to feature in their World Cup last-16 encounter against Belgium.
