NYON, Switzerland, Aug. 3 (ANI): UEFA is considering legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his proposal to commercialize the FIFA World Cup through a new entity known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, according to sources cited by ESPN.
According to the report, European soccer’s governing body has also warned Infantino not to destroy any documents related to the proposal and has informed Joshua Kushner, Greg Maffei, JPMorgan and Open Economics that it is considering legal action over their association with the now-withdrawn plan.
ESPN reported that it had reviewed a letter sent to Infantino formally requesting that all documents and other evidence related to the proposal be preserved in the event legal proceedings are initiated. ESPN also said it had contacted FIFA for comment.
Infantino had proposed creating FIFA Forward Enterprise, a $20 billion company that would oversee the commercial operation of the FIFA World Cup with private investment, including participation from the Kushner family.
The proposal drew widespread criticism from across world soccer after details emerged last week. According to ESPN, UEFA, the Football Association (FA), CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) were among the organizations that expressed strong opposition.
Following the backlash, Infantino withdrew the proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights.
Before the proposal was abandoned, UEFA’s 55 member associations had agreed to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, in protest, declaring that “some things are simply too important to sell.”
The plan also drew criticism from within FIFA. According to ESPN, one senior FIFA official resigned from his role as presidential adviser, while another said staff members had been misled about the project.
The collapse of the proposal has cast uncertainty over Infantino’s bid for re-election as FIFA president, with elections scheduled for March next year in Morocco. (ANI)
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