Uefa insisted on immediate transparency, stating: “These questions require answers now. They cannot be deferred until the next meeting of the Fifa Council nor can future governance reforms substitute for scrutiny of decisions already taken and accountability for them.”
The strategic calculation behind the imposed deadline becomes apparent when considering the timeline for Fifa’s presidential election. The November 2 cutoff arrives sixteen days ahead of the November 18 deadline for submitting nominations for the presidency ballot scheduled for March 18 of next year.
This calculated timeframe provides national football associations with an opportunity to evaluate Fifa’s responses, or potential absence thereof, whilst they retain the ability to put forward or support an alternative candidate to challenge Infantino, who seeks a third term since assuming office in 2016.
The subsequent Fifa Council gathering has been arranged for December 16 in Doha, occurring after the nomination window closes. Uefa has therefore determined that awaiting this later meeting would be unacceptable for scrutinising the matters in question.
