Uefa Prepares Criminal Charges Against Gianni Infantino Over World Cup Sale Plan

Uefa has escalated its war with Fifa president Gianni Infantino by preparing to file criminal charges in Switzerland for alleged "criminal mismanagement" related to his failed Forward Enterprise plan to sell a 20% stake in World Cup tournaments to private investors.

Uefa's Criminal Complaint

Uefa has made a dramatic escalation in its conflict with Fifa president Gianni Infantino by preparing to file criminal charges in Switzerland for alleged "criminal mismanagement" related to his failed Forward Enterprise plan.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Uefa confirmed it is preparing to bring criminal claims under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code. The complaint centres on the conception and valuation of the Forward Enterprise plan, which would have sold a 20% stake in Fifa tournaments to private investors for $4.2 billion.

The plan was abandoned earlier this month after fierce opposition from Uefa, national federations, and senior officials across world football. The criminal complaint represents a significant escalation beyond the political and administrative opposition that had already derailed the proposal.

The $20bn Valuation Dispute

Court documents filed by Uefa pay particular attention to the valuation of the deal. The "absurdly low enterprise value of only approximately $20bn" implied by Infantino's scheme to sell a 20% chunk of Fifa tournaments for $4.2bn is described as "neither the product of an open, competitive auction, nor tested by any independent valuer".

This valuation question has become central to Uefa's legal challenge. The European governing body argues that the proposed deal would have significantly undervalued Fifa's most valuable assets, potentially causing substantial financial harm to world football.

Thrive Capital, led by Joshua Kushner, was to be the lead investor in the original plan. Uefa's lawyers have contacted both Fifa and Thrive Capital seeking access to documents related to how the valuation was determined.

Document Requests in the United States

Uefa has made separate applications in the United States for information, including from Fifa and the investment firm Thrive Capital. The governing body has used a "section 1782" order, which allows an interested party in a foreign legal proceeding to request discovery of information from an entity based in the US.

This legal mechanism is a powerful tool for gathering evidence across jurisdictions. Uefa's use of this provision demonstrates the seriousness of its legal challenge and the scope of its evidence-gathering efforts.

Earlier this month, Uefa's lawyers had told Infantino and Fifa to "take immediate steps to identify, locate, and preserve all documents and electronically stored information described in this notice". They named 14 executives who were required to "specifically preserve all such materials in their possession, custody, or control".

Implications for Football Governance

The criminal complaint represents a watershed moment in the governance of world football. The war between Fifa and Uefa has been escalating for months, with Uefa leading opposition to Infantino's governance and financial proposals.

Fifa and Thrive Capital have been contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication. The criminal complaint, if filed, could trigger a significant legal battle in Swiss courts with potentially far-reaching consequences for Infantino's presidency and Fifa's future governance structure.

The case also raises broader questions about the valuation and commercialisation of World Cup rights, with Uefa's challenge suggesting that the proposed deal could have significantly undervalued one of sport's most valuable commercial assets.