UEFA opens a new legal front

UEFA has asked federal courts in New York and Florida for permission to obtain documents and testimony connected to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise project.

The material could be used in a potential Swiss criminal case against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials over alleged criminal mismanagement. No complaint has yet been filed in Switzerland, and none of UEFA’s allegations has been proven in court.

According to The Associated Press, UEFA is seeking evidence from FIFA’s American entities and Thrive Capital, the investment company founded by Josh Kushner.

The proposed agreement would have allowed investors to pay $4.2 billion for a 20% interest in a new FIFA subsidiary controlling commercial rights connected to the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup.

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Serious questions over the valuation

UEFA alleges that the project was developed without a competitive auction, an independent valuation or proper consultation with the FIFA Council, confederations and FIFA’s 211 member associations.

As described by Reuters, the filing claims the proposed deal valued the commercial operation at approximately $20 billion. UEFA believes that figure significantly undervalued FIFA’s most important assets.

FIFA withdrew the proposal on August 1 after fierce opposition from several confederations. However, UEFA argues that abandoning the project does not answer how it was conceived, structured and advanced within FIFA.

The governing body now wants access to communications, valuations and internal decision-making records. FIFA was approached for comment on the latest filings, while Thrive declined to comment.

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A presidency under growing pressure

The legal move forms part of a wider campaign to change FIFA’s leadership. In its official statement, UEFA demanded an independent external review and said trust in Infantino could not be restored simply by withdrawing the proposal.

UEFA has also promised to work with other confederations to present a credible alternative if Infantino seeks another term in March 2027.

For now, the distinction remains crucial: UEFA is preparing a possible criminal complaint, but Infantino has not been charged and the claims against him remain allegations.

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