الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم (UEFA) has decided to escalate its dispute with FIFA President, the Swiss-Italian Gianni Infantino, into a legal battle. UEFA is preparing to file a lawsuit against Mr. Infantino, accusing him of "mismanagement." This legal action stems from Mr. Infantino's aborted project to allow private sector investors to invest in World Cup revenues.
Legal Action Details
الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم (UEFA) has quietly initiated a new legal front through the U.S. Judicial system, after resorting to Florida courts to compel FIFA-affiliated companies in the United States to surrender a range of documents. In a 60-page judicial request, UEFA specified that the objective of this step is to support a "foreign judicial procedure" that will subsequently be launched before the courts in Switzerland against Gianni Infantino, and "possibly other FIFA officials and consultants." This strategic move shows UEFA's determination to build a full case against the FIFA President.
UEFA intends to pursue Mr. Infantino on charges of "mismanagement," an offense that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison under Swiss law. Proving this charge would necessitate demonstrating that Mr. Infantino deliberately harmed the interests of the global football body. The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Infantino led negotiations "conducted in complete secrecy" "with a small circle of co-conspirators over more than a year," without consulting the FIFA Council, or any continental or national federation. This lack of transparency and consultation is a central point of UEFA's legal challenge, suggesting a deliberate circumvention of established governance procedures within FIFA.
The Controversial Project
FIFA presented Mr. Infantino's project to deposit World Cup revenues into a company open to private sector investors in late July. The initiative was subsequently abandoned due to widespread criticism. FIFA had previously noted extraordinary payments promised to its 211 member associations, potentially totaling $4.2 billion, which would have been made possible by private sector contributors whose stake would not exceed 20 percent of the planned company's capital. These promised payments were presented as a significant benefit, aimed at garnering support for the controversial plan.
According to UEFA, the project was in reality "a mechanism intended to enable Infantino" and "a small circle of his close associates," including Joshua Kushner, brother-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, "to acquire a permanent stake in FIFA's most valuable assets and profit from them, at the expense of FIFA, its members, and other parties in the football family." This accusation points to a potential conflict of interest and an attempt to privatize FIFA's core assets for personal gain. UEFA specifically cites criticisms from Carlos Cordeiro, an investment banker who became an advisor to Mr. Infantino before resigning, describing the project as "a bad deal for football." Cordeiro's internal critique, coming from someone initially involved with the project, adds significant weight to UEFA's claims.
UEFA also strongly criticizes the financial valuation used for the project. The figures announced by FIFA practically implied "a ridiculously low enterprise value of around $20 billion." This valuation was not the result of an open and competitive bidding process, nor was it subjected to assessment by an independent, specialized valuation entity. The absence of a transparent and rigorous valuation process further fuels UEFA's allegations of mismanagement and potential impropriety, suggesting that the deal was structured to benefit specific parties rather than maximize returns for FIFA and its members.
Infantino's Position and Future
Gianni Infantino is the sole official candidate for a new term in the upcoming elections scheduled for March 18. His position as the only contender for the presidency shows the current landscape of FIFA's leadership. The legal challenge initiated by الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم (UEFA) against Mr. Infantino introduces a significant element of scrutiny into his tenure and future prospects, even as he stands unopposed for re-election. The lawsuit, alleging "mismanagement" related to a World Cup revenue project, raises questions regarding the internal governance and financial dealings of the global football body. Despite the ongoing legal preparations by UEFA, Mr. Infantino remains the singular option presented to member associations for the next presidential cycle, noting the complex political dynamics within international football. The outcome of UEFA's legal battle could have broad implications for FIFA's leadership and its future financial strategies.
