UEFA warns FIFA and Infantino of legal action over World Cup plan

In a sharply worded letter seen by The Telegraph, L’UEFA warned FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino that it is prepared to launch legal proceedings, arbitration and regulator complaints over the federation’s plan to commercialise the World Cup. The notice, dispatched amid a flurry of media attention, set a confrontational tone for what officials described as a "bomb to finish the week."

FIFA has capitulated under worldwide pressure concerning its intention to create a commercial company that would open the Coupe and its associated competitions to private investors. The move marks a significant shift in how the global governing body envisages the tournament’s commercial future.

Selon The Telegraph, UEFA is adopting a very offensive stance toward the international body, signalling that it will not merely protest but will actively pursue legal avenues to block the proposal.

The UEFA letter explicitly threatened FIFA with legal action if any material evidence related to the commercial project is destroyed, demanding that all electronic documents be preserved.

The correspondence was addressed not only to FIFA and Infantino but also to Joshua Kushner, Greg Maffei, JP Morgan and OpenEconomics, the identified stakeholders of the FIFA initiative, warning them that UEFA "actively considers" filing lawsuits, seeking arbitration and lodging complaints with regulatory authorities.

A quoted passage from the letter reads: "You and FIFA are required to take immediate steps to identify, locate and preserve all electronic documents and information described in this notification that are in your possession, custody or control, irrespective of any internal retention policy."

UEFA further demanded a formal acknowledgment of receipt from FIFA, stating that the organization has already begun the judicial battle.

The atmosphere is described as one of looming lawsuits, with "Ambiance et procès à venir" signalling that courtroom confrontations are imminent.

Les members posted three comments on the article, reflecting the heated reaction across the football community.