UEFA seeks U.S. court discovery from FIFA over abandoned rights plan

  • UEFA filed U.S. discovery requests targeting FIFA and parties linked to the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise investment plan.
  • The proposal sought about $4.2 billion by selling a 20%-21% stake at an implied $20 billion valuation.
  • FIFA’s 211 member associations were offered up to $40 million each from 2027, versus roughly $8 million-$10 million under existing programs.

UEFA has taken its dispute with FIFA into U.S. federal courts, seeking discovery from FIFA, Thrive, Joshua Kushner and former Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei to support planned Swiss criminal complaints against FIFA President Gianni Infantino and associates. The dispute concerns the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which would have placed commercial rights to the men’s and women’s World Cups and other flagship tournaments in a new subsidiary and sold about 20%-21% for approximately $4.2 billion at an implied $20 billion valuation. FIFA’s 211 member associations were told the plan could increase annual development funding from roughly $8 million-$10 million to as much as $40 million from 2027. The proposal was developed with limited internal consultation, triggered opposition and boycott threats, and was withdrawn after details leaked; the source records differ on whether the withdrawal occurred July 31 or August 1. UEFA is using expansive U.S. discovery procedures in New York and Florida to seek communications, valuation materials and draft transaction documents before potentially proceeding in Zurich.

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