Newly revealed documents indicate that FIFA President Gianni Infantino was involved in high-level discussions regarding the European Super League (ESL) project as early as October 2020. A term sheet, which has surfaced publicly for the first time, outlines a proposal to rebrand the controversial breakaway competition as the “FIFA Super League.”

According to the document, the proposal would have brought the breakaway clubs under the direct governance and branding of the world football governing body. This revelation suggests that FIFA’s administration was significantly more involved in the planning of the project than previously acknowledged. The ESL, which was officially announced in April 2021, faced immediate and intense backlash from fans, players, and domestic leagues, leading to its rapid dissolution shortly after its launch.

While the document details the extent of the negotiations, it does not confirm that a final agreement was reached or signed. The Guardian reports that these discussions were part of an effort to reshape European football, though the project ultimately became a symbol of division within the sport. FIFA has not yet provided a detailed rebuttal to the specific contents of the term sheet, nor have they clarified the extent of their formal commitment to the proposal at the time. The revelation raises questions about the governing body's stance on the breakaway, given that FIFA publicly distanced itself from the project once the public outcry began in 2021.