FIFA accuses UEFA of misinformation over abandoned World Cup investment plan

FIFA has accused UEFA of spreading misinformation and pursuing legal action without legitimate grounds in an escalating dispute over Gianni Infantino’s abandoned plan to bring private investment into the organisation’s World Cup business.

The disagreement concerns the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), an initiative examined by Infantino before it was dropped after opposition from UEFA and two other continental confederations.

In a submission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, FIFA said considering the proposal fell within Infantino’s responsibilities as president. It added that failing to assess possible investment opportunities could itself have represented a breach of duty.

The filing responds to UEFA’s request for access to documents relating to FFE. FIFA has asked the court to reject that application, arguing that UEFA’s motive was to create unnecessary pressure rather than obtain evidence it genuinely needed.

Dispute over valuation

One of the main points of contention is the value placed on the proposed venture.

UEFA had previously challenged a reported $20 billion valuation, describing it as “fraudulently off-market”. FIFA rejects that characterisation, saying UEFA wrongly treated enterprise value and equity value as the same measure.

According to FIFA’s legal filing, the enterprise value was more than twice the equity value. It therefore argues that the figures cited by UEFA did not accurately reflect the proposal.

FIFA also dismissed any suggestion that Infantino stood to gain personally from the arrangement. The organisation said FFE could not have gone ahead without approval from both the FIFA Council and FIFA’s 211 member associations.

The filing further criticises UEFA for making its claims without, FIFA says, properly checking the proposal’s financial details before raising them publicly or bringing them before the court.

Court case linked to election dispute

The legal disagreement has emerged alongside FIFA’s forthcoming presidential election.

UEFA has publicly stated that it no longer has confidence in Infantino and is seeking an alternative candidate to oppose him in next year’s election.

FIFA’s submission highlights the timing of UEFA’s legal action, pointing out that candidates must be submitted by November 18. It argues that the U.S. proceedings should not be used as a means of affecting the presidential contest.

The court filing marks a significant escalation in the increasingly public conflict between the two governing bodies. The abandoned investment proposal has become part of a broader dispute over Infantino’s leadership and the future direction of FIFA.

UEFA has been approached for comment on FIFA’s latest legal arguments.