World Cup investor deal: New York court rejects FIFA applications

Gianni Infantino hoped for something different. A US court rejects a FIFA application in a power struggle with UEFA. It's about the release of potentially explosive documents.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino: UEFA suspects misconduct in his preparations for the World Cup deal. Photo: REUTERS

New York. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was unable to achieve the point victory he had hoped for in a power struggle with the European Football Union UEFA in a New York court. The application by two subsidiaries of the world football association against the release of documents relating to the FIFA boss's failed World Cup investor deal was rejected by the US judiciary.

“Nothing in the available documents indicates that the FIFA units based in the USA – or even FIFA itself – will act as litigants in the proposed criminal proceedings,” said district judge Jeannette Vargas, justifying her decision in an eight-page document that was available to the German Press Agency.

The background to the legal dispute is UEFA's attempt to obtain access from the US judiciary to documents that reveal possible misconduct by Infantino in the preparations for the World Cup deal with American donors. Specifically, it concerns companies owned by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

The party to the proceedings is not FIFA but Infantino

In August, UEFA submitted a corresponding application to the USA in order to be able to initiate criminal proceedings against Infantino in Switzerland. FIFA wanted to defend itself against this with its application - even though, as the US judge stated in her reasons, she is not a party to the proceedings, but rather Infantino.

According to the American news agency AP, FIFA is sticking to its fundamental conviction despite the verdict. "The court has not dealt with the merits of UEFA's application; no documents of any kind need to be released," the world association said.

Infantino's European opponents viewed the investor plans as a crossing of a red line by the FIFA boss and are seeking an end to his presidency. The 56-year-old Swiss wants to be elected for a fourth term on March 18, 2027 and has broad support from national football associations in Africa, Asia and South America.

His opponents still have until Wednesday next week to present an opposing candidate. There had recently been reports that former successful coach Arsène Wenger, who currently works as head of global football development at FIFA, could compete against Infantino.