Infantino faces UEFA lawsuit threat over World Cup profit plan

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing a legal threat from European football body UEFA over a recently abandoned plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits. UEFA has informed FIFA that it is "actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints" related to the "FIFA Forward Enterprise" (FFE) plan.

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UEFA puts you on formal notice that any destruction, deletion, alteration, concealment, or loss of relevant materials following receipt of this notice, or following any earlier date on which you were, or reasonably should have been, aware that proceedings were anticipated, may constitute spoliation of evidence.

The controversial proposal, which sought to raise $US4.2 billion from private investors including Joshua Kushner's firm, was withdrawn after widespread criticism. UEFA, representing 55 member federations, had previously threatened to boycott all FIFA events if the plan proceeded. The organization's lawyers have now sent a formal notice to FIFA, warning against the destruction of any potential evidence.

UEFA's letter specifically named 18 FIFA executives, including Infantino, chief finance officer Thomas Peyer, and head of global football development Arsène Wenger, who must retain all relevant data and communications. The notice states that any loss of materials after receiving the notice could be considered "spoliation of evidence."

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no option should be off the table

Meanwhile, the Swedish football federation confirmed that UEFA is exploring alternative candidates for the FIFA presidency, with the next election scheduled for March. UEFA has expressed a desire to end Infantino's tenure, citing a loss of confidence from world football. The FFE spin-off, valued at $20 billion, would have granted investors control of FIFA's commercial operations through at least 2038, promising increased development funds for member federations.

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deceived