FIFA lawyers have asked a judge in Florida to reject UEFA’s request for evidence connected to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise investment plan, arguing that the move amounts to harassment and could affect the organisation’s upcoming presidential election.

The 21-page filing was submitted to a court in the Southern District of Florida late Monday. FIFA’s legal team said UEFA’s actions were not made in good faith and urged the court to prevent the discovery process from being used to influence the election.

“UEFA’s conduct demonstrates that its (court filing) was made in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment,” FIFA lawyers wrote.

UEFA has sought permission to gather evidence in three courts. Its requests include proceedings in Manhattan involving an investment firm founded by Josh Kushner, as well as proceedings in Miami, where FIFA has an office base.

According to the account of UEFA’s request, the evidence would be used to help prepare a possible criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Switzerland over alleged financial mismanagement. The source material does not indicate that such a complaint has been filed.

Dispute over FIFA Forward Enterprise

The FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal involved creating a subsidiary and selling at least 20% of FIFA’s future commercial rights for $4.2 billion to investors led by Josh Kushner. Media reports revealed the plan on July 28, and it was abandoned within days.

UEFA’s court filings allege that the proposed price for the commercial rights was a “fraudulently off-market price promoted by Infantino for his own benefit.” FIFA lawyers rejected the suggestion that Infantino sought a personal financial interest in the project.

FIFA has said the proposed commercial spinoff was intended to speed up football development around the world, particularly outside Europe’s wealthy football power base.

The plan triggered a global backlash led by UEFA. Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s now-ousted chief operating officer, criticised Infantino’s leadership after the proposal became public. Carlos Cordeiro, described as Infantino’s senior adviser and a former Goldman Sachs partner, resigned in protest against the deal.

Infantino later apologised for errors in the handling of the plan and offered to establish an independent external review of FIFA’s governance. The source material does not provide the current status or outcome of that proposed review.

Election tensions

Infantino plans to seek a fourth and final term, running through 2031, in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for next March in Morocco. FIFA lawyers said potential candidates have until November 18 to enter the contest.

Before the investment-plan controversy, Infantino had appeared likely to win the election without opposition. UEFA has since led opposition to the proposal and is preparing an election challenge, according to the source.

“This court should reject any attempt to influence FIFA’s presidential election based on these grounds,” FIFA lawyers told the court.

The judge’s decision on UEFA’s discovery request has not been reported.