Uefa files criminal complaint against Fifa president over failed investment plan
Uefa has initiated legal action against Fifa president Gianni Infantino, alleging criminal mismanagement related to the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal. The complaint seeks disclosure of documents in US courts, focusing on the low valuation of the plan. Uefa had previously withdrawn a boycott threat but is now escalating the dispute.
Uefa’s legal move targets the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise, a plan that would have sold a perpetual 21% share of Fifa’s future revenues to Thrive Capital for $4.2bn. Uefa’s 56-page filing to US courts calls the implied $20bn enterprise value “absurdly low,” especially after Fifa reported $15bn in revenue for the last four-year cycle. The complaint also notes that the sales deck lacked valuation details or evidence of competitive bidding, and points to Infantino’s reported interest in a lucrative post-presidency role as FFE chair. Uefa previously withdrew a boycott threat over the Under-20 Women’s World Cup, but this escalation signals a broader strategy to pressure Infantino ahead of his planned 2031 exit.
This dispute could reshape governance and trust in global football’s leadership. If Uefa’s allegations gain traction, they may prompt closer scrutiny of how major sports bodies value commercial assets and handle conflicts of interest. Fans, national federations, and commercial partners could see increased demands for transparency, while legal proceedings might distract from sporting priorities. The outcome may influence whether other stakeholders challenge Fifa’s decision-making, potentially altering power dynamics between confederations and the world governing body.