US judge allows UEFA investigation into Infantino
FIFA subsidiaries may not intervene in a case concerning evidence over an abandoned commercial plan.
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A US judge on Thursday rejected an attempt by American FIFA subsidiaries to intervene in a UEFA investigation. The investigation is intended to produce evidence for a possible criminal case in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over an abandoned plan to sell commercial rights connected to the World Cup.
The ruling does not concern whether Infantino is guilty of criminal offences. The judge has only determined that the American FIFA entities may not intervene in the proceedings in which UEFA is seeking access to documents and other evidence.
The dispute centres on a commercial plan previously presented by FIFA. Private investors could have taken a stake in future revenues from the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. After strong opposition, particularly from Europe, the plan was withdrawn.
UEFA wants to use the American documents in connection with a possible Swiss criminal investigation into financial governance surrounding the plan. The football confederation has named FIFA president Infantino personally in this context. The continuation of the investigation or the obtaining of evidence does not mean that charges or a conviction will follow.
FIFA defended its earlier plans and previously accused UEFA of a smear campaign. The new ruling likewise does not determine how the Swiss authorities will ultimately handle the material. The way remains open, however, to collecting documents and statements that the European football body considers relevant.
The case matters to European football organisations because it touches on the question of who decides on the commercial exploitation of the biggest football competitions. For clubs, associations and supporters, it is indirectly about the distribution of revenue and the transparency of FIFA governance. The legal proceedings could prolong that power struggle further.
UEFA is attempting to gather evidence for a possible criminal case. The ruling concerns solely intervention in those proceedings and offers no judgement on the allegations.
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The article describes solely the procedural ruling and avoids any judgement on guilt or criminal liability. The background to the abandoned plan has been confirmed by Reuters and AP.
- confirmed A US judge rejected FIFA subsidiaries' request to intervene. — Reuters reports the decision of 12 November. source
- confirmed UEFA is attempting to gather evidence for a possible Swiss criminal case involving Infantino. — Reuters describes the purpose of the proceedings. source
- confirmed The commercial plan was withdrawn after opposition from Europe. — AP describes the abandoned plan and European criticism. source
Editor's note
The court ruling and its procedural nature have been confirmed. There has been no finding of guilt, and the possible Swiss criminal case has not yet been assessed on its merits.Sources
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