Europe’s football governing body UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA President Gianni Infantino for criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code, according to court documents seen by The Associated Press. The legal action centers on a now-shelved plan called FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have sold a 20 percent stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors for $4.2 billion, a valuation UEFA argues was fraudulently off-market.
Swiss Criminal Proceedings and U.S. Court Discovery
The 56-page legal document outlines how the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise subsidiary would have transferred commercial rights for men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup into private hands. According to UEFA’s legal filing, the $4.2 billion price tag implied an enterprise value of approximately $20 billion that was neither tested by an independent valuer nor subjected to an open auction.
The documents detail a meeting held at a New York City hotel on the eve of the World Cup final, where senior FIFA directors were briefed on the plan. Of five directors present, two refused to sign off, including chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who has since left FIFA, according to The Associated Press. UEFA lawyers stated in court records that the scheme served as a vehicle for Infantino and a small circle to acquire a permanent financial interest in FIFA’s most valuable assets to the detriment of member organizations.
The Withdrawn Boycott and Political Friction
The escalating dispute follows intense friction between FIFA and regional soccer bodies. UEFA previously threatened to withdraw European teams from FIFA competitions and urged Infantino to resign. However, following a meeting in Monaco, European member associations agreed to suspend the boycott threat on a provisional basis while keeping the position under constant review, according to official statements. The relationship had already fractured when FIFA revoked a red card given to a U.S. player ahead of a World Cup match against Belgium following an apparent intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside reports that members of Trump’s inner circle were sounded out regarding the private financing scheme.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan?
The FIFA Forward Enterprise was a now-abandoned plan spearheaded by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to create a subsidiary holding commercial rights to major soccer tournaments, including the World Cup, and sell a 20 percent stake to private investors for $4.2 billion.
Why is UEFA filing a criminal complaint?
According to documents filed by UEFA, the complaint under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code targets alleged criminal mismanagement regarding the undervalued and uncompetitive sale of permanent commercial stakes in FIFA’s core events.
Are European teams still boycotting FIFA tournaments?
No. After a meeting in Monaco, UEFA member associations agreed to suspend their threatened boycott of FIFA competitions on a provisional basis, though they noted the decision remains under constant review.
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