FIFA Accuses UEFA of Harassment as Legal Battle Over Investment Plan Escalates

MIAMI — FIFA lawyers have accused UEFA of using a U.S. court proceeding to harass President Gianni Infantino and potentially influence the upcoming FIFA presidential election, as the dispute over an abandoned private investment proposal intensifies.

In a filing to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, FIFA urged a judge to reject UEFA's request to obtain evidence connected to a potential criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland. Reuters reported that FIFA described UEFA's conduct as a purported attempt to spread misleading claims about the FIFA president.

The legal dispute centers on the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which was withdrawn in July following opposition from UEFA and other football confederations. The proposed structure would have transferred major FIFA commercial rights into a new subsidiary and allowed private investors to acquire a stake in the business.

FIFA Rejects Claims of Personal Financial Benefit

UEFA has alleged that Infantino developed the proposal without adequate consultation and questioned the valuation and governance process surrounding the transaction.

FIFA has rejected the suggestion that Infantino sought to personally profit from the project. Its lawyers argue that the proposal would have required approval from FIFA's member associations and FIFA Council, with oversight mechanisms within the organisation.

UEFA is seeking evidence from FIFA-related entities and investment parties, including information connected to Thrive Capital and its founder Josh Kushner, who was identified as an anchor investor in the proposed transaction.

Kushner, the brother of U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, previously said he regretted how the investment proposal unfolded, while maintaining that the underlying objective was to increase funding for football development globally.

Dispute Over the Value of FIFA's Commercial Rights

Another major point of disagreement is the valuation of the proposed FFE business.

UEFA has argued that the proposed investment would have valued the enterprise at around $20 billion, which it considers significantly below the value of FIFA's commercial rights.

FIFA has disputed that characterization, arguing that the $20 billion figure referred to the proposed equity value rather than the enterprise value. FIFA said internal materials placed the enterprise value above $30 billion.

The disagreement has become part of a wider debate about FIFA's financial governance, decision-making processes and the role of private capital in global football.

FIFA Presidential Election Adds to the Tensions

The legal dispute comes as Infantino prepares to seek another term as FIFA president.

FIFA has argued that UEFA's legal actions should not be used to influence the presidential election. UEFA, meanwhile, has continued to challenge the handling of the FFE proposal and has sought evidence that it says could support a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland. No criminal charges have been filed against Infantino in connection with the proposal.

Infantino has acknowledged what he described as errors in the handling of the investment proposal and has proposed an independent external review of FIFA's governance and decision-making processes.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has continued to publicly criticize the abandoned project, arguing that FIFA's approach lacked sufficient transparency and consultation.

A Wider Governance Battle

The dispute has expanded beyond the investment proposal itself, becoming part of a broader disagreement over how FIFA should be governed and how its commercial revenues should be managed.

European football leagues have also called for significant reforms, including greater stakeholder involvement and clearer separation between FIFA's regulatory and commercial functions.

For now, the Florida court must consider FIFA's request to reject UEFA's discovery efforts, while the broader dispute continues to play out ahead of the next FIFA presidential election.

The legal proceedings concern allegations and disputed claims; no finding of criminal wrongdoing against Infantino has been made in connection with the abandoned FFE proposal.