Sports · Football · 51 mins ago
Court rejects FIFA bid to block UEFA evidence-gathering over Infantino plan
A New York court rejected FIFA’s attempt to block UEFA from seeking evidence about a proposed investment plan.
UEFA wants documents and testimony from Thrive Capital and JPMorgan, which were involved in the plan.
FIFA’s Forward Enterprise scheme aimed to sell private investors a minority stake in commercial rights for the World Cup and other tournaments.
The scheme was abandoned in August after three continental confederations rejected it.
The ruling lets UEFA gather evidence, but another court decision is needed for document access.
UEFA is seeking answers about the plan and has raised broader concerns about FIFA president Gianni Infantino; the evidence could be used in a possible criminal case.
The dispute comes ahead of FIFA’s March election, where Infantino is seeking a fourth term.
A New York court rejected FIFA’s effort to block UEFA from seeking evidence related to FIFA’s abandoned World Cup investor plan.
The ruling allows UEFA to gather evidence for a possible criminal case against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, but a separate court decision is still needed before documents can be released.
The plan, known as Fifa Forward Enterprise, would have offered private investors a minority stake in commercial interests linked to the World Cup and other tournaments.
UEFA had opposed the plan and sought documents concerning Thrive Capital and JP Morgan’s involvement.
Infantino is expected to seek a fourth term in FIFA’s election on 18 March 2027.
- Who
- FIFA and UEFA are the parties to the dispute; the evidence concerns FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
- What
- A New York court rejected FIFA’s bid to block UEFA’s evidence-gathering over the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise investor plan.
- When
- The ruling was issued on Thursday, 12 November 2026.
- Where
- New York, United States.
- Why
- UEFA is seeking evidence about the plan for a possible criminal case against Infantino in Switzerland.
FIFA
UEFA
Access to evidence
FIFA
FIFA sought to block UEFA’s access to documents related to the investor plan.
UEFA
UEFA sought to gather evidence and obtain documents related to the plan for a possible criminal case against Infantino.
Investor plan
FIFA
FIFA’s stated position on the plan’s merits is not detailed in the sources.
UEFA
UEFA opposed the plan and regarded it as crossing a red line.
The Fifa Forward Enterprise plan was abandoned after three continental confederations rejected it.
UEFA filed an application in the United States seeking documents related to the investor plan.
A New York court rejected FIFA’s effort to intervene to block UEFA’s evidence-gathering.
Infantino is scheduled to seek a fourth term as FIFA president.
- Plan
- Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE)
- Investors involved
- Thrive Capital and JP Morgan
- Plan proposal
- A minority stake in commercial interests for the World Cup and other tournaments
- Court location
- New York
- FIFA election
- 18 March 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
The court has already decided that the US Fifa parties have no direct, substantial and legally protectable interest in the subject matter of this application.
The court has not dealt with the substantive merits of UEFA’s application; no documents have to be handed over.