European football governing body UEFA has launched legal actions in US courts to force FIFA to surrender documents concerning an abandoned private investment deal.
The European federation filed applications last week across courts in three American states, seeking access to internal files and details on potential commercial partners involved in the project.
FIFA responded by accusing UEFA of conducting a defamation campaign against the global organisation and its executive leadership.
US filings target Thrive Capital
Court filings focus heavily on Thrive Capital, an American investment firm led by businessman Joshua Kushner. UEFA claims Kushner played a central role in shaping the commercial proposal.
UEFA confirmed it plans to use the court disclosures to launch formal legal action in Switzerland under Swiss law.
Both FIFA, based in Zurich, and UEFA, based in Nyon, operate under Swiss corporate jurisdiction. UEFA maintains that the dispute meets all legal thresholds for examination by Swiss courts.
FIFA demands dismissal of court petitions
FIFA requested that American judges dismiss the petitions, arguing UEFA has no legal right to compel internal document production without active criminal proceedings.
The global governing body added that even if criminal proceedings existed, UEFA lacks standing because it suffered no financial loss from the aborted proposal.
FIFA accused UEFA of illegally bypassing Swiss courts by filing applications directly with American judicial authorities.
Releasing internal files, including private communications between FIFA President Gianni Infantino, federation directors, and outside advisors, would cause direct commercial damage, FIFA argued. The organisation added that disclosure would expose sensitive operational data.
Backlash over permanent asset stakes
The investment initiative was first presented in July with strong backing from Infantino. FIFA withdrew the proposal following intense opposition from major football stakeholders, led by UEFA.
Despite the withdrawal, UEFA contends the plan was structured to allow Infantino and a small circle of associates, including Kushner, to acquire permanent ownership stakes in key FIFA assets.
European football officials argued that such an arrangement would yield private financial benefits for specific individuals at the expense of FIFA, its member associations, and global football.
Elections and growing leadership feud
The legal fight comes ahead of the FIFA presidential election set for March 2027, where Infantino is scheduled to seek a fourth and final term.
The dispute follows a series of clashes between the two governing bodies in August 2026. On August 10, UEFA and two partner federations issued a joint statement declaring that Infantino had placed himself above the collective good of the sport.
Infantino faced further pressure on August 18 when a senior FIFA official was dismissed amid challenges to Infantino's reelection bid. On August 27, UEFA escalated the conflict by accusing the FIFA president of criminal mismanagement.
