FIFA President Gianni Infantino has faced strong opposition from UEFA regarding plans concerning the commercial rights of the World Cup. FIFA accused the European football governing body, UEFA, of conducting an 'information disinformation campaign' while attempting to gain access to documents related to Infantino's plan to sell part of its assets.
In the lawsuit in Florida, FIFA asserts that UEFA's attempt to compel the global football body to provide documents is aimed at 'influencing' the FIFA presidential elections scheduled for next year. In a 26-page legal document, FIFA states that UEFA is acting 'for harassment purposes, not out of any legitimate need for disclosure,' pursuing its case against the world football governing body, and accuses UEFA of acting 'unconscionably.'
Infantino caused a wide resonance in July by presenting proposals to create a commercial subsidiary for hosting major events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup. This plan allowed private investors to acquire shares in a company established under the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative. However, subsequent negative reactions led to the quick postponement of these proposals.
In its lawsuit, FIFA reported that UEFA is spreading 'numerous false or misleading statements' about Infantino and the world governing body, including the claim that he 'sought to personally profit from the FFE proposal.' Furthermore, the FIFA lawsuit indicates that UEFA's statement 'holds up neither factually nor legally' and should be dismissed.
UEFA filed a request in Florida for permission to gather evidence in connection with a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland, where both UEFA and FIFA are based. The European football body stated last month that, alongside 'other interested parties,' it is 'preparing to file criminal charges in Switzerland against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials and advisors for mismanagement.'
UEFA, the federation representing World Cup holders Spain and football powers such as France, England, and Germany, leads the opposition to Infantino, openly demanding his resignation. FIFA confirmed this month that Infantino will run again for president in the March elections, despite criticism of his now-cancelled private investment plan.
This week, Infantino sent a letter to 211 FIFA members, stating that a large sum of money could be distributed among FIFA members from its extensive cash reserves. Earlier this month, UEFA strongly urged FIFA to allocate $10 million (about 164 million riyals) to each of its member associations—a total of $2.1 billion (34.51 billion riyals)—'for infrastructure and football development investments.'
In his letter, Infantino stated that he would support 'the highest level of additional funding that can be responsibly provided.' Infantino insisted in the letter that the cancelled proposal to sell commercial rights to the World Cup was intended to generate additional funds for football. He wrote: 'The recent commercial proposal, which is now withdrawn, was intended to allow FIFA to invest more in football.'
FIFA holds estimated unused cash reserves of $6 billion (98.54 billion riyals), and UEFA argues that Infantino should not have tried to attract capital given how much money his organization already possessed.
Infantino is not alone in his support: Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2034 World Cup, voiced support last month, as did the management bodies of African football, CAF, and South America, CONMEBOL. South American countries, including Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, will participate in matches during the next World Cup in 2030. The tournament will primarily take place in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.