UEFA Considers Legal Action Against FIFA Over Infantino’s Investment Plan

UEFA, the European soccer governing body, has issued a threat of legal action against FIFA due to Gianni Infantino’s abandoned plan to sell a portion of future World Cup profits to private investors. The proposal, which aimed to generate $4.2 billion by including private investors such as the New York firm associated with Joshua Kushner, faced global criticism and was quickly withdrawn.

UEFA spearheaded the response against this secretive initiative. The body’s 55 member federations agreed to boycott all FIFA events and competitions while Infantino’s proposal was active. The plan involved creating a $20 billion company to manage the World Cup with private investors, but it was widely opposed following its announcement. Infantino scrapped the plan early Saturday following the resignation of his senior adviser, who had been involved in a White House panel. The move also prompted opposition from Asia’s soccer body, joining Europe and North America’s disapproval.

In a letter dated Friday, UEFA’s lawyers informed FIFA that they were considering legal action, arbitration, and regulatory complaints related to the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan. The letter, received by The Associated Press, named several FIFA executives and instructed them to retain relevant data, documents, and electronic messages as potential evidence. The letter warned against any destruction or alteration of pertinent materials.

“UEFA puts you on formal notice that any destruction, deletion, alteration, concealment, or loss of relevant materials following receipt of this notice — or following any earlier date on which you were, or reasonably should have been, aware that proceedings were anticipated — may constitute spoliation of evidence,” the letter stated.

UEFA also hinted at ending Infantino’s presidency, citing a loss of confidence in his leadership. This sentiment was expressed in a strong statement suggesting that all options were open to them. Hours prior, Infantino retracted the controversial plan, offering FIFA’s 211 member federations a one-off payment of $20 million each, with a September deadline to accept it.

The proposed spin-off, valued at $20 billion by FIFA, would have taken over the organization’s revenue-generating commercial and tournament operations. It was opposed by many, including FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, who criticized Infantino, claiming staff felt misled.

Legal proceedings appear likely, as UEFA’s legal counsel Andrew J. Levander noted that soccer stakeholders believed the plan contradicted proper football governance. Opposition to Infantino’s plan was strong within UEFA, while the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF also voiced disapproval. Infantino found support mainly in Africa, although South America’s CONMEBOL is counting on him to push the World Cup expansion in 2030.

This investment proposal has significantly shifted Infantino’s position. Once seen as a strong candidate for re-election without opposition, his ambition to serve beyond 2031 is now uncertain. FIFA’s briefing during the World Cup cited support from 200 of 211 member federations. However, many are retracting their support, with the Wales federation taking the lead.

The deadline for nominations in the presidential election is November 18, with the vote scheduled to occur four months later in Morocco, a key ally and co-host of the 2030 tournament with Spain and Portugal.