FIFA faces being ordered to hand over ALL documents relating to the failed World Cup sell-off – after losing a US court battle.
Zurich chiefs had applied to the bench in the Southern District of New York asking it to “intervene” in the demands from Uefa for all information relating to the to be disclosed.
Uefa launched actions in New York, Florida and Colorado in September in the wake of Fifa President Gianni Infantino being forced to he had agreed with Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
And on the day Infantino’s predecessor Sepp Blatter branded his fellow Swiss a “dictator”, the Fifa boss suffered a major legal reverse as his argument was rejected by the court.
Uefa alleged Kushner originated the and discussed it with Infantino for “nearly a year”.
Thrive and US bank JP Morgan then “compiled a global investor base to pitch the deal” with all negotiations held in secret.
Fifa lawyers had claimed Uefa was attempting to usurp through a campaign of “misinformation”.
The world body’s American-based operating company Fifa US, had pushed for the disclosure claim to be parked by the Court.
But Judge Jeanette Vargas dismissed Fifa’s argument, ruling that intervention would “unduly prejudice” Uefa if full disclosure was delayed.
That clears the way for a final judgement on Uefa’s behalf, likely to hugely embarrass and Infantino.
The Uefa victory comes with former Arsenal boss expected to announce by Saturday whether he intends to stand against Infantino in the scheduled presidential elections in March.
Wenger has until next Wednesday’s deadline to decide. But Blatter’s intervention also puts pressure on Infantino.
Blatter, who described the widely-derided Fifa Peace Prize last year as “madness”, added: “Infantino no longer knows any borders.
“He is acting like a dictator and feels he is untouchable. He should be sent to a psychiatric ward one day.”
