Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt has formally demanded that FIFA release all documents pertaining to the abandoned World Cup sell-off plan and the decision to lift USA striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension during last summer’s tournament. The request was made in a letter sent to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his deputy, Mattias Grafström.
This formalisation of requests follows lobbying by Hewitt and other FIFA council members last month for an independent review of the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) sell-off and the Balogun controversy. The letter was sent in advance of the FIFA council meeting in Zurich on October 15, which will be the first time Infantino has met the 36-member board since the FFE plan surfaced in July.
Balogun's suspension was lifted after a phone call from Donald Trump to Infantino, despite the player receiving a straight red card for serious foul play in the US's World Cup last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. This allowed him to participate in the last-16 match against Belgium, which the USA lost 4-1. FIFA has stated it followed due process, with the decision made independently by its ethics committee, but has not yet published a written report on the hearing.
Infantino has been campaigning for support ahead of next year's presidential election, visiting various regions. The FA's decision to challenge Infantino carries some risk, as the UK is the sole bidder for the 2035 Women’s World Cup. A decision on the hosts for that tournament and the 2031 edition is expected at an extraordinary FIFA congress on November 23.