Sport
UEFA Threatens Legal Action Over FIFA’s Abandoned World Cup Share Sale Plan
Despite FIFA canceling its controversial plan to sell shares of its commercial arm, UEFA is reportedly pursuing legal avenues against the proposal.
According to reports from Khaosod Online, citing BBC and The Telegraph, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is considering legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding a previously proposed plan to sell shares of a new commercial entity. FIFA had intended to establish 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' (FFE) to manage commercial activities for future men’s and women’s World Cups. The plan aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling a 20% minority stake in the $20 billion company to private investors.
While FIFA has since abandoned the proposal following significant backlash and threats of a boycott from UEFA, the conflict remains unresolved. The Telegraph reports that UEFA has sent a letter to Infantino stating they are seriously considering legal proceedings, arbitration, or regulatory complaints regarding the initiative.
For residents and travelers in Thailand, this dispute highlights ongoing tensions within global football governance that could influence the future organization and commercial structure of the World Cup. While the immediate plan for private investment has been halted, the extent of potential legal repercussions remains to be confirmed. Observers are waiting to see if UEFA will formally proceed with these legal threats or if the matter will be settled through internal mediation.
Translated from Thai.
SawaLife is not a news organisation. We classify and translate source material using automated processing and editorial controls; the original publication remains the authoritative context.