UEFA Sends 42-Question Letter to FIFA Regarding Trump and Infantino Relations

European football executives have forwarded a detailed list of 42 questions to FIFA regarding FIFA President Gianni Infantino's commercial ties with U.S. figure Donald Trump and his inner circle, allegations of conflicts of interest, and an initiative to sell shares of the World Cup.

Signed by UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis, the letter was sent following a failure to receive answers during last week's meeting of the world football council. The letter emphasized that a series of decisions, transactions, and interventions between the FIFA President and the U.S. President and associated individuals raise serious question marks regarding conflicts of interest, transparency, and institutional accountability.

The UEFA letter addressed discussions between Infantino, Donald Trump, and his associates regarding the creation of a FIFA cryptocurrency; a phone call made before the red card suspension of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun was lifted; and efforts with Jared Kushner's brother, Joshua Kushner, to sell 20 percent of the World Cup to private investors. In addition, questions were raised about the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump without the approval of the FIFA Council, the renting of offices at Trump Tower that carry a high annual cost but are claimed to remain unused for most of the year, the announcement of a $75 million investment targeting Palestine, and sponsorship agreements made with a sports prediction company reportedly linked to Trump Jr.

The European side is also demanding a truly independent investigation into the World Cup share sale, which was spearheaded by Infantino but later abandoned following backlash. While FIFA has not yet provided an immediate response to the letter, it was reported that UEFA has not yet fielded a candidate for the presidential election in March, but wants Infantino removed from office.