Fifa president Gianni Infantino has not responded to US House Judiciary requests

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has not responded to a request to appear before the United States House Judiciary Committee or sent documents requested by one of its members more than a month past the deadline. Democrat Jamie Raskin, the ranking minority member of the committee, wrote to Infantino on July 26 informing the Swiss he was launching an investigation into 'a sustained campaign' by Fifa to curry favour with US President Donald Trump. His letter said that seeking of favours extended to the dismissal of high-profile corruption cases, while also accusing Fifa of 'gouging' American consumers with 'exorbitant' World Cup ticket prices this summer. The Swiss was asked to respond to the letter by August 9 with the requested documents and to make contact with the committee to schedule an interview, but it is understood no response at all had been received as of Thursday. Because no subpoena was issued, there are no criminal consequences for ignoring Raskin's request. However, requests for answers from Fifa on a variety of topics are now piling up. Read more 'People said we'd struggle to qualify for Europe' — Jamie Lennon hopes St Pat's can keep proving doubters wrong Two days after Raskin's letter was sent, The Times and the Financial Times reported on Infantino's plan to seek private investment in a company, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would run commercial and operational aspects of the World Cup and other Fifa events. That plan was swiftly rejected by three continental confederations and Infantino withdrew it on August 1. However, his handling of the issue has piled pressure on him with Uefa saying it had 'lost confidence' in him as president. Infantino has pledged a review of the handling of the FFE project, but Fifa has not confirmed who will carry out that review. Uefa has requested an independent, external review of the FFE proposal take place, while also seeking disclosure of documents related to it through the US court system with a view to potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland. The Belgian football association (RBFA) is understood to still be pursuing legal action over the circumstances surrounding the suspension of a one-match ban for US striker Folarin Balogun which allowed him to face Belgium in a World Cup last-16 match in July. Infantino remains committed to seeking re-election for a new four-year term next March and currently is the only candidate, though Uefa pledged on August 27 that it would work to present a credible alternative candidate. The deadline for candidacies to be submitted is November 18. The presidents of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf, the confederation representing nations from North and Central America plus the Caribbean, joined Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin in criticising Infantino's 'deception' over FFE in an open letter sent on August 10. Read more 'I was in denial' — Waterford's John Mahon on how therapy sessions helped to save his career after Sligo rejection However, Infantino is still garnering support from within Asia. On Thursday he met with the presidents of the Kuwaiti and Iraqi football associations, having already secured backing from other Middle East nations including Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Mexico, Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis from Concacaf have also broken ranks to back him. Meanwhile, Fifa is expected to receive an analysis of the impact of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams on Friday. A research brief seen by the Press Association on July 30 set a deadline of August 14 for an agency to be appointed to carry out the feasibility study, with that analysis sought by September 11. Fifa has not commented on the brief but a request to consider an expansion of the 2030 finals does have the backing of South American confederation Conmebol. Currently Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will host just one game each at the start of the centenary finals, with the rest of the tournament being co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.