US judge denies FIFA subsidiaries' bid to block UEFA evidence request over Infantino plan

A US federal judge in Manhattan has denied requests by FIFA's subsidiaries in the United States to block UEFA from seeking evidence. The evidence concerns FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to bring private investors into the World Cup and other tournaments. The plan did not go ahead. The Associated Press (AP) describes it as failed. Deutsche Welle (DW) reports it was abandoned in August.

The ruling

According to DW, the judge is Jeannette Vargas of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. DW reports she issued the eight-page ruling on Thursday. Two FIFA subsidiaries sought to block UEFA, according to DW. The reports do not name them.

Vargas ruled that the subsidiaries had no "direct, substantial and legally protectable interest" in the matter, according to DW. DW describes the matter as aimed specifically at Infantino and his dealings. DW quoted Vargas as saying: "Nothing in this record indicates that the US FIFA parties, or even FIFA itself, will be parties in the contemplated criminal proceedings." In the written ruling, according to DW, she added: "Certainly the US FIFA parties have not alleged facts suggesting they would be defendants in such a proceeding."

According to DW, UEFA filed for discovery in this case in August. It has filed discovery requests in multiple US states. After the ruling, UEFA can request the right to obtain deal-related documents from the US bank JP Morgan and the investment firm Thrive Capital, DW reports.

The investor plan

According to DW, the plan was called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). It would have managed FIFA's commercial interests in the World Cup and other competitions. Private investors could have bought minority stakes. The plan became public in July. Three continental confederations rejected it. Each of FIFA's 211 member federations was offered $20 million (€18.1 million) to approve it. Infantino initially pushed back against the opposition, DW reports.

DW reports that Thrive Capital is owned by Joshua Kushner. He is the brother of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law. He is also the son of Charles Kushner, the US Ambassador to France. Trump pardoned Charles Kushner after his conviction and before appointing him.

What each side says

UEFA aims to remove Infantino from office, according to DW. It says it will file a criminal complaint in Switzerland if it finds evidence of financial wrongdoing. It has demanded details of the FFE plan, including how Thrive Capital was chosen to lead the investor group. It had threatened to boycott future FIFA tournaments if the plan was not dropped.

FIFA's lawyers said, according to DW: "The court has not addressed the merits of UEFA's application and no documents are required to be produced." In September, FIFA told a court in Florida that UEFA's legal actions amount to harassment of Infantino, DW reports. FIFA has offices in a Miami suburb.

Election context

According to DW, Infantino, who has led FIFA for 11 years, plans to seek reelection. He must pass an eligibility and integrity check by a FIFA-appointed panel. Japan's Kohzo Tashima is so far the only declared candidate. UEFA is expected to propose another and is seeking to persuade Arsene Wenger, FIFA's Head of Global Development, to run. The deadline is Wednesday, 18 November.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not describe any evidence of wrongdoing. No court or authority is reported to have found wrongdoing by Infantino. The reports do not include responses from UEFA, Infantino, JP Morgan or Thrive Capital. Vocemundi reviewed only a summary of AP's report.

Analysis

The ruling is procedural. It allows UEFA to pursue documents but, as FIFA's lawyers note, does not decide the merits of its application or require any production. Several paths remain open. The documents, if obtained, may or may not support UEFA's concerns. FIFA could take further legal steps, though the reports do not say whether it will. The parallel proceedings in Florida and other states may produce different outcomes. The timing, close to the 18 November candidacy deadline, links the legal dispute to FIFA's leadership contest. How that affects the election is not yet clear.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.