FIFA to cover Infantino’s legal costs in World Cup sale fallout

Josh Kushner, the New York-based investor who was set to be the anchor partner in FIFA's failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, said he regrets getting involved in the deal that has plunged global soccer into crisis and drawn him into legal proceedings.

"Had we known what this would devolve into, we would not have gotten involved," Kushner said in comments made Monday to Axios, his first public remarks on the matter. Kushner and his investment firm, Thrive Capital, were targeted last week by a UEFA court filing in Manhattan seeking evidence for a potential criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Switzerland.espn

A Deal That Backfired

Under Infantino's plan, revealed in late July, Thrive and Kushner were to pay FIFA $4.2 billion for a 20% stake in a subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise that would run the soccer body's commercial events, including the World Cup. The proposal provoked a furious reaction from soccer officials worldwide. UEFA threatened to boycott all FIFA-run events, while CONCACAF sent a strongly worded letter expressing disappointment.sports.yahoo+1

Kushner framed the venture as well-intentioned. "The idea behind it was to direct more capital and equity equally amongst all 211 member countries, providing significantly more investment to underdeveloped nations," he said. He added that "we failed to appreciate the political dynamics of global football".espn

The backlash forced FIFA to scrap the plan, but the fallout has continued. Several football associations have said they would not support Infantino's reelection efforts, though he remains the sole candidate for the March 2027 vote. Notably, the UEFA filing states that "neither Thrive nor Kushner is an anticipated defendant" in a potential legal case.sports.yahoo+1

FIFA Set to Cover Infantino's Legal Costs

Separately, FIFA is expected to cover Infantino's legal costs should UEFA proceed with action against the president, according to a report by The Athletic. Although UEFA's legal document targets Infantino personally — accusing him of "fraudulently" offering a stake in the FFE without going through proper FIFA channels and at an "absurdly low" value — FIFA would foot the bill because Infantino was acting in his official capacity as president.sports.yahoo

Kushner, who is now part of a $12.5 billion takeover of the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Bob Iger, appears eager to distance himself from the controversy. Infantino, meanwhile, has repeatedly fought back against calls for his resignation and, with FIFA reportedly set to underwrite his legal defense, shows no signs of backing down.espn+1