Rabat – UEFA has confirmed that it has sent a legal evidence preservation notice to FIFA, marking a significant escalation in its dispute with FIFA President Gianni Infantino over a now-abandoned plan to sell a share of future FIFA World Cup revenues to private investors.
In a statement emailed to Al Jazeera on Tuesday, UEFA confirmed that it had issued a document preservation notice, a legal step requiring FIFA to retain documents, emails, messages, and other records that could serve as evidence in potential legal proceedings. The governing body declined to comment further.
The move follows Infantino’s decision to withdraw a proposal that sought to raise $4.2 billion from private investors, including a New York-based investment firm owned by Joshua Kushner. The plan sparked widespread criticism after it became public last week.
UEFA weighs legal action
According to the Associated Press, UEFA has been considering legal action since the proposal was revealed. Lawyers representing the European football body have expanded their legal notice to inform FIFA that UEFA is evaluating several options, including court proceedings, arbitration, and regulatory complaints related to the project.
The notice warns that any destruction, alteration, deletion, concealment, or loss of relevant documents after receiving the letter could be treated as the destruction of evidence.
The preservation request reportedly applies to 18 FIFA executives, including Infantino, FIFA Chief Financial Officer Thomas Bayer, and FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger.
Forced retreat
The proposal faced fierce resistance across Europe. Last Thursday, UEFA’s 55 member associations agreed to boycott FIFA competitions and events as long as the investment plan remained under consideration.
Facing mounting pressure, Infantino withdrew the proposal just days later. Under the plan, FIFA’s 211 member associations would have each received a one-time payment of $20 million in exchange for approving the project before mid-September.
FIFA had valued the project at around $20 billion. The proposal would have transferred control of FIFA’s commercial activities and tournament operations to a newly created entity until at least 2038, while promising to double development funding for member associations.
FIFA leadership under growing scrutiny
The controversy has also exposed divisions within FIFA’s leadership.
FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour reportedly described the proposal as the initiative of “one man,” saying many FIFA staff members felt they had been misled by Infantino.
UEFA lawyer Andrew J. Levander argued that legal action had become increasingly likely because many football stakeholders believe the proposal violated principles of good governance.
Opposition has extended beyond Europe, with both the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf issuing statements criticizing the project.
Infantino still retains key allies
Despite growing pressure in Europe, Infantino continues to enjoy strong backing from many African football associations. Meanwhile, CONMEBOL remains aligned with him on its proposal to expand the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams, up from the planned 48.
Reports have also suggested that Infantino sought political support from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. However, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson denied that any meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the FIFA president had been scheduled.
The controversy comes at a crucial moment ahead of FIFA’s presidential election in March 2027, which will be held in Morocco, the co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
The nomination period for the election is scheduled to close on November 18, and while Infantino was previously expected to secure a fourth and final term unopposed, the growing backlash in Europe has cast uncertainty over his political future.
