started · updated
FIFA and UEFA clash over failed World Cup investment plan
FIFA and UEFA are engaged in a legal battle following the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project. The proposal sought to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, including the World Cup, for approximately $4.2 billion. The lead investor for the project was intended to be Thrive Capital, managed by Joshua Kushner.
UEFA has filed legal requests in several US states to obtain internal documents and testimony from FIFA and its partners, including JPMorgan and Thrive Capital. UEFA is investigating potential criminal mismanagement by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, alleging he promoted a valuation that was fraudulently low for his own benefit. UEFA is considering launching criminal proceedings in Switzerland.
FIFA has responded by accusing UEFA of a “smear campaign” and a “fishing expedition” designed to sabotage its leadership. FIFA argues that UEFA lacks legal standing because no criminal proceedings currently exist in Switzerland and that the FFE was merely a proposal that required member association approval. FIFA has also requested that US courts deny UEFA’s discovery requests, claiming they are intended to expose confidential information for political purposes.
Entities
FIFA · Gianni Infantino · Joshua Kushner · Thrive Capital · Thrive Eternal · UEFA
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 17 SOURCES] UEFA alleges Infantino promoted a valuation for FIFA assets that was fraudulently lower than market value for his own benefit. www.notizie.it · www.unmondoditaliani.com · www.bild.de · notiziedi.it · theglittersonline.com.ng · +12 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] UEFA is considering criminal proceedings against Gianni Infantino regarding a failed World Cup investor deal. www.bild.de · notiziedi.it · theglittersonline.com.ng · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.corcianonline.it · +10 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] UEFA claims the 4.2 billion dollar valuation was not the result of an open or competitive auction. www.notizie.it · www.unmondoditaliani.com · www.bild.de · notiziedi.it · theglittersonline.com.ng · +12 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] FIFA intends to cover the legal defense costs for Gianni Infantino because he acted in his capacity as president. www.bild.de · www.tanea.gr
- [● 15 SOURCES] The proposed investor, Thrive Eternal, is managed by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner. www.bild.de · notiziedi.it · theglittersonline.com.ng · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.corcianonline.it · +10 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] The abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise project proposed selling a 20 percent stake in FIFA commercial rights for approximately 4.2 billion dollars. www.notizie.it · www.unmondoditaliani.com · www.bild.de · notiziedi.it · theglittersonline.com.ng · +12 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A conviction could potentially lead to a prison sentence of up to three years for Infantino. www.bild.de
- [● 14 SOURCES] FIFA accuses UEFA of a defamatory campaign intended to sabotage the organization and its president, Gianni Infantino. www.notizie.it · www.unmondoditaliani.com · notiziedi.it · theglittersonline.com.ng · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · +9 more