Legal Tension Rises Between FIFA and UEFA Over World Cup Shares
In a document submitted to a U.S. court, FIFA accused the Union of European Football Associations of conducting a smear campaign.
In a filing with a U.S. court, FIFA described UEFA's legal actions against the World Cup share sale plan as a smear campaign and requested that the process be halted.
Smear Campaign Accusation in Court Filing
FIFA criticized UEFA's legal steps in an intervention petition submitted to the District Court in Colorado, USA.
It was argued that the submissions resembled press releases rather than legal petitions and supported a smear campaign targeting FIFA leadership.
Controversial World Cup Shares Plan
At the root of the dispute is FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell shares in the World Cup and other tournaments to private equity.
This proposal, named FIFA Forward Enterprise and projecting a $4.2 billion share sale, was withdrawn on August 1 following intense backlash.
Evidence-Gathering Attempts in U.S. Courts
In recent weeks, UEFA had applied to three separate U.S. courts to collect evidence connected to Infantino's proposal.
Within the scope of these requests, the court in New York was asked to compel the sharing of documents from Josh Kushner and investment firm Thrive Capital Management.
Statements from the Investment Firm
Thrive firm executive Josh Kushner defended the motivations of the project in a statement to Axios, but noted that they could not foresee the political dynamics of global football.
Kushner stated that had they known beforehand what would happen, they would never have involved themselves in this process.
Potential Criminal Complaint Being Prepared in Switzerland
UEFA stated in court documents that it is preparing a criminal complaint in Swiss courts against Gianni Infantino over potential allegations of financial mismanagement.
UEFA lawyers argued that this plan was a vehicle intended to allow a small group to profit from FIFA's most valuable assets.
FIFA's Legal Defense and Allegations
FIFA, on the other hand, noted that UEFA's evidence request contains a fundamental flaw, being based on a nonexistent foreign criminal investigation that UEFA has no authority to initiate.
The petition also alleged that UEFA pressured European member associations into opposing the plan.