European football governing body UEFA has confirmed to Al Jazeera that it has sent a preservation letter to FIFA, the global football authority, in response to Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private investors.

In an email to Al Jazeera, UEFA stated, “We can confirm that a document preservation letter was sent,” but declined to provide further comment.

Infantino’s secretive proposal aimed to raise $4.2 billion from investors, including the New York investment firm of Joshua Kushner. The plan was dropped early Saturday, days after the details became public and sparked widespread controversy.

According to The Associated Press, UEFA’s lawyers have extended their notice to FIFA, indicating that the European body is “actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints … arising out of and in connection with the FFE (FIFA Forward Enterprise) plan proposed by FIFA and all related matters.”

The preservation letter warns FIFA that “any destruction, deletion, alteration, concealment, or loss of relevant materials following receipt of this notice – or following any earlier date on which you were, or reasonably should have been, aware that proceedings were anticipated – may constitute spoliation of evidence.”

Gianni Infantino, 56, left New York after the World Cup final two weeks ago and appeared set to be re-elected unopposed next March for a fourth and final term in office through 2031.

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Sources