Judicial setback for FIFA: US court denies request to block evidence against Gianni Infantino
A United States court issued a key ruling this Thursday, rejecting the request filed by two FIFA subsidiaries. The goal of these entities was to prevent UEFA from obtaining documentation and evidence related to a failed World Cup commercial project, which is currently the subject of attention by the Swiss justice system in an investigation that points directly to the organization’s president, Gianni Infantino.
Judge Jeannette Vargas, of the Southern District of New York, dismissed the petition, arguing that the U.S. subsidiaries lack a direct legal interest in the litigation. According to the magistrate, any potential legal action in Switzerland is directed exclusively against the figure of Infantino and not against the operations of the branches in the United States.
FIFA Forward Enterprise case details
UEFA has been actively seeking access to sensitive information to present it to the Swiss authorities, focusing its interest on the project known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). This initiative aimed to establish a company in charge of marketing World Cup rights.
- The project was valued at approximately 20 billion dollars.
- It had the backing of renowned financial entities such as J.P. Morgan and Thrive Capital Management.
- The opposition from various football confederations caused the plan to collapse, generating an internal crisis in the organization.
The US court’s decision represents a step forward for UEFA in its efforts to obtain documentation related to the project and bring that evidence before the Swiss judicial authorities.
Pressure on Gianni Infantino
This ruling comes at a critical time for the FIFA president, who is preparing to seek his fourth term at the helm of world football’s governing body in the elections scheduled for March 18, 2027. Infantino’s leadership is facing growing opposition from major European federations, most notably those of France, England, and Italy.
The judge’s refusal to protect the confidential documents, on the grounds that such secrets belong to FIFA’s Swiss parent company and not to the subsidiaries that attempted to halt the process, leaves the international organization in a vulnerable position regarding the judicial proceedings taking place in Europe.
