UEFA threatens legal action against FIFA over abandoned World Cup profit-sale plan
UEFA has warned FIFA that it may pursue legal, arbitration or regulatory complaints after Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in future World Cup revenues to private investors was withdrawn.
UEFA has informed FIFA that it is "actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints" related to the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan that sought to sell a share of future World Cup profits to private investors. The notice, sent by New York law firm Dechert, named 18 FIFA officials and warned that any destruction or alteration of relevant documents could be deemed spoliation of evidence.
The proposal, which aimed to raise $4.2 billion from investors including a firm linked to Joshua Kushner, was abandoned on Saturday after media reports sparked widespread criticism. UEFA’s 55 member federations had previously agreed to boycott FIFA events while the plan was under consideration.
UEFA’s legal counsel, Andrew J. Levander, said the plan was "fundamentally incompatible with the proper governance of football" and that legal proceedings were "reasonably anticipated." The FFE spin-off, valued by FIFA at $20 billion, would have transferred control of commercial and tournament operations to a new entity, while the 211 member associations already own the nonprofit governing body.
FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, described the initiative as the work of a single individual and said staff felt misled. Other confederations, including the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, have also voiced opposition. Support for Infantino remains strongest in Africa, while CONMEBOL backs an expanded 2030 World Cup. The upcoming election for FIFA president is scheduled for November 18, with the next tournament set for 2030 in Morocco, Spain and Portugal.