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 effort to sell portions of the World Cup to private investors. This information emerges from legal filings that were obtained by Sky News, which reveal that UEFA has taken the step of issuing subpoenas to FIFA and to the financial institutions involved, seeking documents from the United States that pertain to the proposed transaction. According to the documents, the intended legal proceedings will be launched in Switzerland, the jurisdiction where FIFA’s headquarters are located. By pursuing a criminal case in Swiss courts, UEFA is signalling that it intends to move beyond the more familiar political maneuverings aimed at removing Infantino from his position.
Instead, the governing body is focusing on alleged criminal mismanagement and possible breaches of Swiss law that could have far‑reaching consequences for the global game. A legal memorandum seen 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, the organization alleges that the secretive deal to commercialise part of the World Cup not only jeopardised FIFA’s brand and governance but also caused tangible financial and reputational harm to the entire football family, from the world governing body down to the national associations that make up UEFA. The filing was submitted in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
It targets JP Morgan Bank, which acted as a financial adviser on the deal, as well as Thrive Capital, a venture‑capital firm identified as the planned lead investor. Thrive’s chief executive, Joshua Kushner, is also named; he is the brother of Jared Kushner, the son‑in‑law of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
By naming these parties, UEFA appears to be widening the scope of its investigation to include the private‑sector actors that facilitated the alleged wrongdoing. UEFA’s strategy includes leveraging the U.S. legal system, even though the primary dispute will be heard in Swiss courts. The organization has also indicated that it will pursue related actions in Miami, where FIFA’s legal team is based, suggesting a coordinated, multi‑jurisdictional approach.
This reflects a growing trend among sports bodies to use both civil and criminal avenues to address governance failures, especially when large sums of money and the integrity of the sport are at stake. The background to the controversy lies in Infantino’s proposal to create a new revenue stream for the World Cup by selling a share of the tournament’s commercial rights to private investors. Proponents argued that such a move could inject fresh capital into the sport, fund development projects, and modernise the competition’s financial model. Critics, however, warned that turning a public sporting event into a partially privatized asset could undermine transparency, open the door to conflicts of interest, and erode the trust of fans and member associations alike.
In the case at hand, UEFA claims that the transaction was not only poorly managed but also deliberately concealed from many stakeholders. The alleged “secretive structuring, valuation, financing, and marketing” of the deal, as described in the legal filing, suggests that key details were kept hidden from FIFA’s executive board and from the broader football community. If proven, such conduct could constitute a breach of fiduciary duty under Swiss law, which requires executives to act in the best interests of the organization and to avoid actions that could damage its reputation or financial standing.
Beyond the immediate legal ramifications, the case could have broader implications for the governance of world football. A successful criminal prosecution of Infantino or other senior officials would set a precedent that high‑level misconduct can be pursued criminally, not just through internal disciplinary mechanisms or civil lawsuits. It could also prompt other continental confederations and national associations to scrutinise their own governance practices more closely, potentially leading to a wave of reforms across the sport. The involvement of high‑profile financiers such as JP Morgan and Thrive Capital adds another layer of complexity.
Financial institutions that facilitate large‑scale deals in sports are increasingly being held accountable for ensuring that transactions comply with anti‑corruption statutes and that due diligence is performed. Should the courts find that these entities knowingly participated in a scheme that violated Swiss criminal law, they could face fines, sanctions, or even criminal liability for the individuals involved.
In summary, UEFA’s decision to initiate criminal proceedings against Gianni Infantino marks a significant escalation in the ongoing power struggle within global football. By targeting both the individual at the helm of FIFA and the private investors who were set to benefit from the proposed sale, UEFA is aiming to protect the sport’s integrity, safeguard its commercial relationships, and uphold the interests of its 55 member associations and the wider community of 211 FIFA members.
The outcome of the Swiss criminal case, as well as any parallel actions in the United States and Miami, will be closely watched by fans, officials, and investors alike, as it could reshape the governance landscape of football for years to come.