Judge Rejects FIFA Bid to Block UEFA Discovery

A federal judge in Manhattan rejected motions by two FIFA subsidiaries to block UEFA from obtaining evidence related to FIFA’s abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which would have given private investors a stake in commercial rights to the World Cup and other tournaments. UEFA is seeking documents and testimony from investment firm Thrive Capital and FIFA adviser JPMorgan for possible proceedings in Switzerland concerning FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the plan. The ruling allows UEFA’s evidence requests to proceed but does not determine whether Infantino or FIFA acted improperly, or whether a Swiss case will be brought.