The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has signaled its intention to launch criminal proceedings against Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, over a controversial attempt to sell portions of the World Cup rights to private investors. This development, revealed through legal filings obtained by Sky News, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing power struggle between the continent’s governing body and the global football federation. According to the documents, UEFA has issued subpoenas to FIFA and several financial institutions operating in the United States, demanding the production of records that pertain to the proposed transaction.
The goal of these subpoenas is to gather evidence about the structure, valuation, financing and marketing of the deal, which UEFA alleges was conducted in secrecy and caused tangible harm to FIFA’s reputation, its governance framework, and its commercial relationships. While the subpoenas target entities in the United States, the actual criminal complaint is slated to be filed in Switzerland, where FIFA’s headquarters are located. By choosing Swiss jurisdiction, UEFA aims to hold Infantino and potentially other FIFA officials accountable under Swiss law, specifically invoking Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code, which addresses criminal mismanagement.
The filing also leaves room for additional or alternative charges, depending on the factual findings that emerge during the investigation. The legal filing, which was reviewed by Sky News, reads in part: "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 parallel with the Swiss action, UEFA has also lodged a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. This complaint names JP Morgan Bank as a defendant, along with Thrive Capital, the venture‑capital firm identified as the prospective lead investor in the World Cup share sale. Thrive Capital’s chief executive, Joshua Kushner, is also singled out.
Kushner is notable for being the brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump and served as a senior adviser to former President Donald Trump. The dual‑track legal strategy—civil litigation in New York and criminal proceedings in Switzerland—illustrates UEFA’s determination to pursue the matter on every front. By targeting the financial intermediaries and the prospective investor, UEFA seeks to expose any alleged misconduct not only by Infantino but also by the private parties that may have facilitated or benefited from the transaction. UEFA’s actions come at a time when the organization has been increasingly vocal about the need for greater transparency and accountability within FIFA.
Over the past few years, UEFA has called for reforms aimed at curbing the concentration of power in the hands of the FIFA president and his inner circle. The current move can be seen as an attempt to go beyond merely demanding Infantino’s removal; it is an effort to hold him criminally responsible for what UEFA characterises as a breach of fiduciary duty and a violation of the trust placed in him by the global football community. If the criminal case proceeds, it could have far‑reaching implications for the governance of world football.
A conviction under Swiss law would not only damage Infantino’s personal standing but could also trigger a cascade of institutional reforms within FIFA, potentially reshaping the way the organisation conducts commercial deals and interacts with private investors. Moreover, the case underscores the growing tension between European football authorities and the global body. UEFA represents 55 national associations, accounting for a substantial portion of FIFA’s membership base.
By framing the alleged misconduct as a direct injury to these 55 associations—as well as to the broader network of 211 FIFA members—UEFA is positioning itself as a defender of the collective interests of European football. The legal battle is also likely to draw intense scrutiny from sponsors, broadcasters, and other commercial partners who have vested interests in the stability and integrity of the World Cup brand. Any perception that the tournament’s commercial rights are being mishandled could jeopardise existing contracts and affect future revenue streams for both FIFA and its member associations. While UEFA’s complaint in New York targets the financial institutions that facilitated the proposed share sale, the Swiss criminal complaint focuses on the alleged wrongdoing of Infantino and any advisers who may have been complicit.
The inclusion of Thrive Capital and its CEO in the U.S. filing suggests that UEFA believes the private investors were not merely passive recipients of a deal but active participants who should be held accountable for their role in the alleged scheme.
The broader context of this dispute also includes ongoing debates about the commercialisation of the World Cup. Over the years, FIFA has explored various models to monetise the tournament, ranging from traditional broadcasting rights to newer concepts such as fractional ownership and tokenised assets. Critics argue that such approaches risk compromising the sport’s integrity and alienating fans, while proponents claim they can generate much-needed revenue for development programs.
In summary, UEFA’s preparation to bring criminal proceedings against Gianni Infantino represents a bold and multifaceted legal offensive. By leveraging both Swiss criminal law and U.S. civil courts, the European governing body aims to uncover the truth behind the attempted sale of World Cup shares, hold responsible parties to account, and ultimately safeguard the governance and commercial integrity of international football. The outcome of these proceedings could reshape the power dynamics within FIFA and set a precedent for how future commercial deals are scrutinised and regulated.