UEFA has warned Gianni Infantino and several figures linked to a controversial FIFA investment plan that it could pursue legal action, arbitration or regulatory complaints, while demanding that all documents and electronic data connected to the proposal be preserved.
The European governing body has formally notified the FIFA president that it is seriously considering legal proceedings over FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a project involving the sale of stakes in World Cup tournaments and other FIFA competitions to private-sector investors.
The warning was also sent to Joshua Kushner, Greg Maffei, JPMorgan and OpenEconomics, according to the Telegraph, which said it had seen the letter.
UEFA instructed the recipients to identify and protect every relevant document, file and electronic record. It said the preservation obligation took precedence over any FIFA internal policies covering document retention or destruction.
The organisation warned that deleting, destroying, changing, concealing or losing material after the notice had been received could be treated as spoliation of evidence. That could lead to further legal action and claims for damages.
UEFA also reserved the right to seek legal sanctions, ask for adverse inferences against any parties that failed to comply, and recover all legal costs resulting from the destruction of documents.
The letter listed people believed to hold, or control, information connected to FFE. They were Gianni Infantino, FIFA president; Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development; Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA’s secretary general; and Kevin Lamour, chief operating officer.
Lamour was included after saying on Friday that he and a number of FIFA officials had “been misled” in relation to the project.
UEFA has asked FIFA to confirm receipt of the notice within five working days. It also wants written confirmation that the contents have been understood, that all relevant material is being preserved, and that a named person has been appointed to oversee compliance. FIFA has additionally been asked to disclose whether any relevant documents have already been deleted or destroyed.
The dispute marks an unusually serious escalation between UEFA and FIFA. UEFA has strongly opposed FFE, arguing that the proposal fundamentally conflicts with principles of good governance and the proper administration of football. The project has also attracted criticism from continental and national football associations and other prominent figures in the sport.
Infantino abandoned his plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions last Saturday, following an unprecedented backlash from continental and national governing bodies. Opposition intensified after the involvement of people close to United States President Donald Trump became known.
UEFA led the campaign against the proposal. On Thursday, it said all 55 of its member associations would boycott the World Cup if FIFA proceeded with the plan. UEFA later made clear that it would work to bring Infantino’s time as FIFA president to an end.
FIFA announced details of FFE on the previous Tuesday, including the individuals and organisations involved in seeking potential investors.
Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Trump, was expected to lead a proposed group of investors through his Thrive Eternal fund. Greg Maffei, a Trump campaign donor and chief executive of Pan Ventures, was also named. Maffei previously served as president and chief executive of Liberty Media during its takeover of Formula 1.
FIFA also said JPMorgan and OpenEconomics would help identify potential investors.
The Telegraph contacted FIFA for an official response to the latest developments, but no reply had been received.
