1 day ago
FIFA Accuses UEFA of Misinformation Over World Cup Rights Plan
FIFA and UEFA are arguing about a business plan that has already been canceled.
The plan would have placed some World Cup commercial rights in a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise.
UEFA says FIFA President Gianni Infantino developed the idea secretly and did not follow normal consultation rules.
UEFA also questioned whether the rights were valued fairly.
FIFA says UEFA’s claims are false or misleading.
FIFA says the plan would have needed approval from FIFA’s member associations and Council.
UEFA asked a United States court for documents and testimony for a possible complaint in Switzerland.
FIFA says the court request may be designed to affect the next FIFA presidential election.
Infantino has also proposed an independent review of FIFA’s decision-making processes.
FIFA urged a United States court to reject UEFA’s request for documents and testimony related to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.
UEFA said Gianni Infantino developed the proposal secretly, bypassing FIFA’s usual governance processes and undervaluing commercial rights.
FIFA denied the allegations, saying the plan required approval and oversight from FIFA’s member associations and Council.
The proposed investors would have paid $4.2 billion for a stake in FIFA Forward Enterprise, which UEFA said was valued at about $20 billion.
FIFA alleged UEFA’s legal action was intended to influence Infantino’s presidential reelection campaign, while UEFA did not immediately comment.
- Who
- FIFA, UEFA, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino are involved in the dispute.
- What
- FIFA opposed UEFA’s request for discovery related to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and accused UEFA of spreading misinformation.
- Where
- The legal proceedings are in the Southern District of Florida, while UEFA’s planned criminal complaint would be filed in Switzerland.
- When
- FIFA filed its response on Monday; the FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March next year.
- Why
- UEFA seeks evidence concerning the proposal’s development, governance, and valuation; FIFA says the request is misleading and could influence its presidential election.
FIFA’s Position
UEFA’s Position
Governance and consultation
FIFA’s Position
FIFA says the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal required approval and oversight from FIFA’s member associations and Council, and that UEFA’s claims about legal or ethical violations lack merit.
UEFA’s Position
UEFA says Infantino developed the proposal with a small group of advisers and investors while bypassing FIFA’s Council, regional confederations, and member associations.
Value of commercial rights
FIFA’s Position
FIFA says UEFA conflated equity value with enterprise value, arguing that the company’s enterprise value was well above $30 billion and far higher than the alleged fair-value figure.
UEFA’s Position
UEFA says investors would have paid $4.2 billion for a stake in a business valued at about $20 billion, which it considered a significant undervaluation of FIFA’s commercial rights.
Purpose of the legal action
FIFA’s Position
FIFA says UEFA’s filings contain misinformation and may be an attempt to influence the presidential election.
UEFA’s Position
UEFA requested documents and testimony for a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland concerning the proposal; it did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Key facts
- Plan
- The abandoned proposal would have transferred World Cup commercial rights into FIFA Forward Enterprise.
- Investment proposal
- Investors were reportedly prepared to pay $4.2 billion for a stake in the company.
- Valuation dispute
- UEFA cited an approximately $20 billion valuation, while FIFA said the enterprise value was well over $30 billion.
- FIFA’s position
- FIFA said the proposal required approval from its member associations and Council and would face oversight from both.
- UEFA’s allegations
- UEFA said Infantino developed the proposal secretly, bypassed normal governance processes, and did not obtain an independent valuation.
- Legal venue
- UEFA sought discovery from two Florida-based FIFA entities in the Southern District of Florida.
- Election context
- Infantino is seeking reelection in March next year, and FIFA has proposed an independent review of its decision-making processes.
Quotes
FIFA
World soccer’s governing body and respondent in the US court filing
“Just before FIFA's election, UEFA filed this 1782 Application (and three others) spreading misinformation regarding Mr. Infantino.”
telegraphindia.com
“With no basis whatsoever, UEFA suggests that Mr Infantino sought to profit personally from the FFE proposal.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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