Europe's football governing body has escalated its feud with FIFA by formally notifying the world body that legal action is being considered, following the collapse of a plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. UEFA confirmed to Al Jazeera that a document preservation letter was sent to FIFA, a move that signals the dispute has moved beyond public criticism into the realm of potential litigation. Main Developments The preservation letter, dated Friday and prepared by the New York law firm Dechert, was confirmed by UEFA in an email to Al Jazeera on Tuesday. It serves as formal notice that FIFA must retain all data, documents, and electronic messages that could serve as evidence in potential proceedings. According to the Associated Press, which reviewed the letter, UEFA lawyers stated that the European body is "actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints" related to the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan and all related matters. The letter explicitly warns that any destruction or alteration of relevant materials could constitute spoliation of evidence. Read also: Why a single arrest may not stop Spokane's wildfire crisis The letter names 18 FIFA executives, including President Gianni Infantino, Chief Financial Officer Thomas Peyer, and Arsene Wenger, FIFA's head of global football development. Wenger has since issued a statement saying he was "not aware" of the plan, which was withdrawn early Saturday after a global backlash. UEFA's legal move follows a unanimous decision by its 55 member federations on Thursday to boycott all FIFA events while the proposal was active. The Swedish football federation has also confirmed that UEFA is actively seeking an alternative candidate for the FIFA presidency, and UEFA has stated that "no option should be off the table" to end Infantino's decade-long leadership. Background The controversy began last Tuesday when The Times of London revealed Infantino's secretive proposal to raise $4.2 billion from private investors, including a New York investment firm led by Joshua Kushner. The plan would have created a spin-off entity, valued at $20 billion, that would control FIFA's commercial and tournament operations through at least 2038. Under the proposal, FIFA's 211 member federations would each receive a one-off payment of $20 million, with a mid-September deadline to accept. The plan promised to more than double development money over the coming years, but it was met with widespread criticism from football stakeholders who saw it as fundamentally incompatible with the proper governance of the sport. UEFA has been the most vocal opponent, with its president Aleksander Ceferin leading the backlash. The Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF also issued strong statements against the plan, while Infantino retains support in Africa and from CONMEBOL, which hopes he will expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, giving more hosting games to Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Infantino, who has held the presidency for ten and a half years, had appeared unbeatable after the World Cup final two weeks ago, with letters of support from about 200 of the 211 member federations. However, those letters are now being withdrawn across Europe, with the Wales federation the first to announce its reversal. Why It Matters This legal escalation marks a significant turning point in the relationship between UEFA and FIFA, with the preservation letter representing the first formal step toward potential litigation. The dispute raises fundamental questions about the governance and financial direction of world football, particularly the balance of power between the global body and its regional confederations. If UEFA proceeds with legal action, it could challenge the legitimacy of FIFA's decision-making processes and set a precedent for how member associations hold the governing body accountable. The collapse of the plan has also weakened Infantino's political standing, with his path to re-election in March now uncertain. The outcome could reshape the leadership of world football, with UEFA actively seeking an alternative candidate for the presidency. The next election is scheduled for March, and the candidate deadline is November 18, leaving little time for a unified opposition to form. What's Next The immediate focus is on whether FIFA will respond to the preservation letter and whether UEFA will follow through with formal legal proceedings. UEFA has indicated that it is considering multiple avenues, including arbitration and regulatory complaints, and its lawyers have stated that legal proceedings are "reasonably anticipated." Meanwhile, Infantino is reportedly seeking support from the administration of US President Donald Trump, though a spokesperson for Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any planned call. The FIFA president's future remains unclear, with his traditional bases of support in Africa and South America potentially wavering. With the ca