European soccer body UEFA warns FIFA of legal action over Infantino's failed World Cup sell-off plan
UEFA is threatening legal action against FIFA following a controversial and secretive proposal by Gianni Infantino to raise $4.2 billion from private investors. The backlash from European federations led to the withdrawal of the plan and calls for a change in FIFA leadership.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights a major governance crisis within global sports administration and potential legal ramifications for FIFA executives.
Infantino's secretive proposal to raise $4.2 billion US from investors including the New York investment firm of Joshua Kushner was dropped early Saturday, days after the revelation in media reports provoked a global furor.
UEFA led the backlash and on Thursday its 55 member federations met to agree boycotting all FIFA events and competitions while the proposal was active.
Now lawyers for UEFA have informed FIFA that the European body is "actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints ... arising out of and in connection with the FFE (FIFA Forward Enterprise) plan proposed by FIFA and all related matters."
The letter dated Friday from the legal firm Dechert in New York was seen Monday by The Associated Press.
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