UEFA prepares criminal complaint against Infantino over failed FIFA investment scheme

UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his failed plan to sell a stake in World Cup revenues to private investors. The complaint alleges criminal mismanagement, with UEFA lawyers calling the $4.2 billion price 'fraudulently off-market'. UEFA has also filed requests in US courts to gather evidence from investment firm Thrive Capital and FIFA.

The legal filings span two US jurisdictions—Manhattan and southern Florida—where UEFA seeks to compel evidence from Thrive Capital and FIFA's Miami-area offices. The 56-page document, reviewed by the Associated Press, outlines plans for a Swiss proceeding under Article 158, which addresses criminal mismanagement. Infantino abandoned the proposal on August 1 following widespread opposition from football federations, with UEFA issuing its initial legal warning two days later. The proposed valuation of roughly $20 billion for FIFA's commercial arm was never subjected to competitive bidding or independent assessment, according to UEFA's lawyers.