On Thursday in Zurich, FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologized to FIFA's ruling council for "mistakes" in his secret plan to sell part of the World Cup. It was the council's first meeting since the plan became public and fell apart this summer. The plan would have sold at least 20% of a new World Cup business for $4.2 billion. The buyers would have been investors led by Joshua Kushner, Jared Kushner's brother. Delegates say Infantino handed over no documents about it. They also wanted answers on why FIFA lifted U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban after President Trump called Infantino. Infantino says the disciplinary committee decided on its own. He asked delegates to send their questions in writing. He's seeking a fourth term in the March election.

An Apology Without Answers Changes Nothing (Debbie Hewitt, Bernd Neuendorf)

European leaders say he's unfit to lead unless he answers their questions.

Europe's leaders asked for documents and got none. Debbie Hewitt chairs England's Football Association and is a FIFA vice president. She said "we didn't get answers to anything that we had specifically requested." "If he doesn't answer those questions, no, he is not fit to be the FIFA president," she said. She said he apologized "with some contrition." But she said nothing she heard changed her mind, "other than we do have a president who is apologetic."

Another federation wants a fresh start without him. Bernd Neuendorf is president of the German Football Association. He's one of eight European delegates on the 37-member council. He said "no satisfactory answers were provided." He said FIFA has to change how it's run, and "this is not possible with Gianni."

Europe's side is going to the courts. UEFA, Europe's football body, asked U.S. courts in August for evidence from FIFA and Kushner's firm. It's weighing a criminal complaint in Switzerland. Its lawyers said the $4.2 billion may have been a "fraudulently off-market price promoted by Infantino for his own benefit."

Some want a bigger name to run against him. Arsène Wenger is FIFA's global head of football development. European football figures told BBC Sport they want him to challenge Infantino. Wenger hasn't said whether he will.

But Much of FIFA Still Wants Him in Charge (Ahmed Yahya)

His backers say he's taking the game forward, and he's offering their federations more money.

Plenty of federations still back him. Ahmed Yahya heads Mauritania's federation and sits on the council. "We see Gianni as the right person to continue leading football," he said. He said most member federations feel the same way.

He's offering every federation more money. Infantino offered each of FIFA's 211 members an extra $15 million for 2027 to 2030. That's on top of $10 million already promised. The offer made progress Thursday, and the council will look at it again in December. Infantino's base is in Africa, which has 54 of FIFA's 211 member federations.

His only declared rival is a long shot. Ramon Vega, a former Swiss defender, is the only declared challenger so far. Reports say he's unlikely to get the five federation endorsements he needs.

And Infantino Says It Was Only Ever a Proposal (Gianni Infantino)

He says the plan was meant to fund members, and FIFA calls Europe's legal push a smear.

He says nothing was ever decided. In a video statement, Infantino said he apologized for mistakes "in relation to the communication and consultation process." He called the plan "just a proposal, so in no way a done deal." He said it was meant to let FIFA "invest more in our member associations."

His side says the papers have to stay secret for now. FIFA said the plan's details "remain confidential due to ongoing legal proceedings in the United States." Its lawyers have accused UEFA of running a "smear campaign."

He's promising a review. Infantino agreed to set up a working group to review how FIFA runs itself. At the December council meeting, FIFA's legal committee will report on its review of disciplinary rules after the Balogun case. The council will also decide whether to keep the peace prize, which FIFA first gave Trump last year.

Where This Lands

Infantino said sorry for how he pitched the World Cup sale. He still says it was only a proposal. Neuendorf says FIFA can't reform with Infantino in charge, and Hewitt says he's unfit if he won't answer their questions. Yahya says most federations want him to stay. Rivals have until Nov. 18 to enter the race, and the council meets again in Doha on Dec. 16.

Sources