UEFA takes FIFA fight over Infantino to a US court

On September 10, UEFA requested a U.S. court to dismiss an attempt by FIFA's American subsidiaries to join a potential Swiss criminal case against FIFA President Gianni Infantino. UEFA argued that the two entities, FIFA (Americas) Inc and FWC2026 US Inc, were improperly acting as stand-ins for FIFA and Infantino, neither of whom sought to participate in the case.

UEFA sought documents and testimony from Thrive Capital Management and its founder Joshua Kushner, whom it claimed may possess information about the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise transaction. This transaction involved selling a permanent stake in commercial and operational rights connected to World Cup and other FIFA events to private investors.

Infantino abandoned the plan on August 1 following criticism from soccer bodies and others. UEFA is also considering filing a criminal complaint against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials in Switzerland, alleging criminal mismanagement. FIFA accused UEFA of launching a smear campaign and characterized the discovery applications as an attempt to damage FIFA and its leadership.

FIFA did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Infantino denied wrongdoing. UEFA contended that the subsidiaries lacked direct legal interest in the New York proceeding because they were not the targets of the contemplated Swiss case, nor were they recipients of the proposed subpoenas. UEFA also stated that the confidentiality concerns raised by the U.S. subsidiaries should belong to their Swiss parent, FIFA, and argued that Thrive and Kushner have lawyers who could challenge any subpoenas after they are served.