European soccer body warns FIFA of legal action over Infantino's failed sell-off plan
UEFA has threatened FIFA with legal action following Gianni Infantino's controversial and now-withdrawn plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private investors. UEFA has demanded that FIFA preserve all relevant data and documents, signaling a significant escalation in the internal power struggle within global soccer governance.
Why it matters
This conflict highlights a major governance crisis in international sports, potentially leading to a restructuring of FIFA's leadership and commercial operations.
NYON, Switzerland -- European soccer body UEFA has threatened FIFA with legal action over Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private investors, and said any potential evidence should not be destroyed.
Infantino’s secretive proposal to raise $4.2 billion 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.”
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