On November 12, 2026, a New York court ruled that De Telegraaf reported the UEFA holds the right to obtain evidence for a potential criminal case against Gianni Infantino.
The legal battle centers on Infantino’s now-withdrawn commercialization plans to sell private equity stakes in the World Cup.
Voetbal International said that investment firm Thrive Capital and banking institution JP Morgan were involved in the Swiss FIFA leader’s efforts to grant private investors shares in tournament revenues. Those American subsidiaries attempted to block UEFA from gaining access to testimonies and documents related to the scheme.
The presiding judge determined that those FIFA-affiliated parties lack a “legally protectable interest” in withholding the records. However, De Telegraaf explained that the European governing body still requires a separate judicial decision to actually inspect the documents.
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“FIFA heeft goede gesprekken gevoerd met leden van de commissie en blijft dat doen. We hebben geen enkele aanwijzing gekregen dat zij ontevreden zijn over onze medewerking. We kijken ernaar uit om eventuele verdere vragen te beantwoorden.”
FIFA, speaking through an official statement cited by VOETBALZONE.
Background on Commercialization Plans
The friction between European and world football leadership escalated after Infantino proposed Forward Enterprise (FFE) to sell commercial rights around the World Cup. Voetbal International reported that while the initiative was pitched as financial support for smaller associations, reports from The Financial Times indicated Infantino could also extract personal financial gains.
UEFA publicly opposed the equity plan from the outset, leading to a complete breakdown of trust. With the European body seeking proof of actionable misconduct ahead of Infantino’s bid for a fourth term as FIFA-voorzitter, the New York ruling provides a critical opening for evidence gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions About the FIFA Legal Battle
What triggered the New York court case involving UEFA and FIFA?
The litigation arose from Infantino’s abandoned plans to sell private equity stakes in World Cup commercial rights through investment partners like JP Morgan and Thrive Capital. UEFA fought for access to documents and testimonies regarding the setup.
Does UEFA have immediate access to the disputed documents?
No. While the court ruled that UEFA holds the right to obtain evidence, De Telegraaf said that the European confederation requires an additional, separate judicial order to actually view the files.
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