UEFA has intensified its dispute with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, taking legal steps in the United States as it prepares a possible criminal complaint against him in Switzerland.
The European football governing body is seeking access to documents and testimony from FIFA-related entities based in the United States. The move is connected to the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which was abandoned after facing strong opposition from UEFA and other football stakeholders.
The proposed scheme involved creating a new commercial entity that would handle major FIFA tournament rights and attract private investment. The plan reportedly valued FIFA’s commercial rights at around $20 billion and attracted a proposed investment of approximately $4.2 billion.
Why Is UEFA Challenging Infantino?
UEFA has raised concerns about the way the FFE proposal was developed and presented.
The European body alleges that the plan was pursued without sufficient consultation with FIFA’s governing structures and member associations. UEFA has also questioned whether FIFA’s valuable commercial assets should be opened to private investors.
The proposal was eventually withdrawn on July 31, 2026, following mounting resistance.
UEFA has since made it clear that the withdrawal of the project has not ended the matter. The organisation has called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the proposal and has continued to question Infantino’s leadership.
UEFA Seeks Evidence in US Courts
As part of its legal strategy, UEFA has approached a US federal court seeking documents and testimony from two FIFA entities located in Florida.
The material is expected to help UEFA assess potential legal claims before a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland.
The legal action marks a significant escalation in the disagreement between UEFA and FIFA, with the dispute moving beyond political criticism and into formal legal proceedings.
Boycott Threat Put on Hold
UEFA had previously considered a boycott of FIFA competitions in response to the controversy surrounding the FFE proposal.
However, the European body has since suspended that threat, meaning its member associations can continue participating in FIFA competitions.
Despite this, UEFA’s opposition to Infantino remains strong, with the organisation indicating that it has lost confidence in the FIFA president and wants greater accountability within the global football governing body.
Infantino’s FIFA Presidency Under Pressure
The dispute comes at a difficult time for Infantino, whose future as FIFA president is already attracting increased attention ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The controversy over the abandoned investment proposal has led to growing calls for changes at FIFA, with some national football associations questioning Infantino’s leadership and demanding broader reforms.
Norway has reportedly become the first FIFA member association to formally call for Infantino’s resignation, while other football authorities have also expressed concerns about the direction of FIFA under his leadership.
For now, Infantino remains FIFA president, but the growing opposition from UEFA and other football stakeholders could make the 2027 election far more competitive than previously expected.
