The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is reportedly gearing up to file criminal charges against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in connection with a controversial plan to sell portions of the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors. The information comes from legal filings that were obtained by Sky News, which reveal that UEFA has issued subpoenas to FIFA and to several financial institutions operating in the United States, demanding the production of documents that relate to the proposed transaction. According to the filings, the intended lawsuit would be filed in Switzerland, the country that hosts FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich.
By choosing Swiss jurisdiction, UEFA appears to be aiming to confront Infantino and possibly other senior FIFA officials directly where the governing body’s central administration is located. This step marks a significant escalation beyond UEFA’s earlier public calls for Infantino’s removal from office; it signals a willingness to pursue criminal liability for what UEFA describes as a serious breach of fiduciary duty.
A legal memorandum reviewed by Sky News quotes UEFA as stating: "UEFA and other interested parties are preparing to bring criminal claims in Switzerland against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials and advisors for criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code and such further or alternative charges as the developed factual record may support, arising out of the secretive structuring, valuation, financing, and marketing of a transaction that inflicted direct and concrete injury on FIFA's reputation, governance authority, and commercial relationships to the detriment of FIFA as well as its 211 members, including UEFA's 55 member associations." In plain language, UEFA alleges that the secretive nature of the deal, its questionable valuation and the way it was financed have caused tangible harm to FIFA’s brand, its governance legitimacy and its commercial partnerships, ultimately hurting the entire football ecosystem, which includes 55 national associations that belong to UEFA. The complaint was originally lodged in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. In that filing, UEFA named JP Morgan Chase as a defendant, along with Thrive Capital, a venture‑capital firm that was slated to be the lead investor in the deal.
Thrive’s chief executive, Joshua Kushner, is also identified; he is the brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump and served as a senior advisor in the former U.S. president’s administration. By naming these parties, UEFA is seeking to hold not only the football officials but also the financial intermediaries accountable for what it characterises as a clandestine effort to privatise a portion of the World Cup’s commercial assets.
UEFA’s strategy appears to involve parallel legal actions in multiple jurisdictions. While the criminal complaint will be pursued in Switzerland, the organization has also filed civil proceedings in the United States, specifically targeting the banks and investors that facilitated the transaction. Moreover, UEFA is reportedly preparing to bring additional claims in Miami, where FIFA’s legal department is based, thereby creating pressure points in both the governing body’s operational hub and its financial back‑stop locations.
The controversy stems from a proposal that would have allowed private capital to purchase a stake in the World Cup’s future revenue streams—essentially a form of securitisation of the tournament’s commercial rights. Critics argue that such a move could undermine the principle that the World Cup is a global public good, managed collectively by the sport’s member associations. Supporters of the plan, however, claimed it would inject fresh capital into FIFA, enabling new projects and potentially reducing the financial burden on host nations.
The secrecy surrounding the deal’s valuation, the identity of the investors, and the exact terms of the agreement have fueled suspicion that the transaction was not in the best interests of the sport’s stakeholders. If UEFA’s criminal complaint proceeds, it could have far‑reaching consequences for the governance of world football.
Under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code, the alleged conduct could be classified as “criminal mismanagement,” a serious offense that carries the possibility of imprisonment and fines for individuals found guilty. The case could also set a precedent for how football’s global institutions are held accountable for financial decisions that affect the sport’s integrity and its worldwide fan base.
Beyond the legal ramifications, the dispute highlights deeper tensions between UEFA and FIFA. Over the past few years, UEFA has increasingly asserted its own authority, championing reforms and pushing back against what it perceives as unilateral decisions made by FIFA’s leadership. The current move to seek criminal prosecution is perhaps the most aggressive demonstration of that power struggle to date. While the legal filings are still in their early stages, the situation is evolving rapidly.
Observers note that the involvement of high‑profile financial firms and individuals with political connections adds a layer of complexity that could draw attention beyond the football community. Stakeholders from sponsors, broadcasters, and national associations are all watching closely, as the outcome may influence future commercial models for the sport’s flagship events.
In summary, UEFA is preparing a multi‑jurisdictional legal offensive aimed at holding Gianni Infantino, other FIFA officials, and their financial partners accountable for a proposed private‑investment scheme that many view as a breach of fiduciary duty and a threat to the sport’s collective governance. The case, if it proceeds to trial in Switzerland, could reshape the legal landscape of football administration and serve as a cautionary tale about the limits of privatising the world’s most popular sporting tournament. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m!
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