FA calls for independent review into Gianni Infantino's World Cup investor plan 

UNDER PRESSURE: The FA have written to Gianni Infantino on two key matters. Picture: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.

Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt has written to FIFA president Gianni Infantino calling for an independent review into the World Cup private investor plan and the handling of the Folarin Balogun case, the Press Association understands.

Infantino is under pressure after three continental confederations rejected his plan to create a company to run the commercial aspects of FIFA’s tournament such as the men’s and women’s World Cups and sell 20% of it to private investors.

The Times was first to report on Thursday that FA chair Hewitt, who is also a FIFA vice-president and a member of the FIFA Council, had written to Infantino demanding answers.

The Press Association understands the letter calls for an independent review of the private investor proposal, and for clarity around the decision by FIFA’s disciplinary committee to suspend a one-match ban for United States striker Balogun during the World Cup.

The suspension of Balogun’s ban was followed by an admission from US President Donald Trump that he had called Infantino asking for the red card shown to the striker against Bosnia and Herzegovina to be reviewed.

Infantino apologised over the process followed in regard to the private investor plan on August 5, and a statement from FIFA’s management board pledged there would be a review. FIFA has not at any stage confirmed who is undertaking that review.

No confidence

European football’s governing body, UEFA, has said it has “lost confidence” in Infantino and has made legal applications in the US court system seeking disclosure of documents related to the private investor plan.

UEFA has also committed to identifying a credible candidate to run against Infantino at the FIFA Congress in March, with November 18 the deadline for candidates to be submitted.

Infantino has confirmed his intention to seek re-election and still enjoys strong support in Africa, South America and in a number of Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The Belgian football association (RBFA) is still pursuing its legal options over the Balogun case, with the decision to suspend his ban meaning he was cleared to play against Belgium in the World Cup last 16.