FIFA has moved to block UEFA’s request for discovery in the United States, escalating an increasingly public dispute between football’s global governing body and its European confederation.
Lawyers representing FIFA filed a motion in New York opposing UEFA’s application. The filing was prepared by Linklaters lawyer H. Christopher Boehning.
FIFA’s legal team argued that UEFA’s applications were being used to advance public criticism of FIFA and its leadership rather than for a legitimate legal purpose.
FIFA challenges UEFA’s discovery application
In its filing, FIFA argued that UEFA’s request has a fundamental legal problem because it allegedly seeks discovery in connection with a foreign criminal proceeding that does not currently exist.
FIFA also argued that UEFA does not have the authority to initiate such proceedings.
The organisation asked the court to allow it to formally oppose the application by September 30, 2026.
The motion further stated that a Florida court had granted FIFA US’s request to oppose UEFA’s application.
UEFA seeks documents over FIFA Forward Enterprise
UEFA had sought subpoenas in US courts as part of an effort to obtain documents and communications that it says could be relevant to potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland.
The proposed proceedings reportedly concern FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan.
The discovery request targeted material held by FIFA, as well as Joshua Kushner and Thrive Capital, the investment firm he leads. Thrive had reportedly been positioned as the principal investor in the FFE initiative.
UEFA’s request has therefore brought the dispute beyond football governance and into the US legal system.
FIFA disputes UEFA’s motives
FIFA’s lawyers also challenged UEFA’s alleged economic motivation for opposing the FFE project.
According to FIFA’s position, expanding financial resources for smaller FIFA member associations would help those countries strengthen their domestic football structures and compete more effectively on the international stage.
FIFA argued that greater development outside Europe could ultimately increase competition for players and reduce the dominance of Europe’s established football markets.
The organisation linked that argument to comments previously made by Kushner, who said that football finances have traditionally been concentrated among a relatively small number of countries.
FIFA also pointed to the support of Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroon Football Federation, for Infantino.
Infantino remains under pressure
The dispute comes as Infantino continues to face scrutiny from UEFA.
The FIFA president has remained in office despite calls for him to step aside and continued pressure from European football authorities.
Infantino previously abandoned plans related to a proposed World Cup commercial arrangement, but the wider tensions between FIFA and UEFA have continued.
UEFA executive committee to meet in Greece
UEFA’s executive committee is expected to meet in Greece during the second week of September.
The meeting comes as the legal dispute over the FIFA Forward Enterprise develops and relations between the two governing bodies remain strained.
The latest court filings are likely to add another dimension to the disagreement, with both organisations now advancing competing positions through the legal system as well as through public statements.