Uefa Prepares Criminal Complaint Against Infantino
Allegation of Criminal Mismanagement under Article 158 SCC
The power struggle between Uefa and Fifa continues to escalate. Uefa is preparing a criminal complaint against Fifa President Gianni Infantino in Switzerland. At the core is the failed plan «Fifa Forward Enterprise» (FFE), which intended to involve private investors in future commercial revenues from Fifa competitions.
Uefa accuses Infantino, and possibly other Fifa officials and advisors, of potential «criminal mismanagement». This refers to the offense under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code. However, no criminal complaint has been filed yet. Uefa first seeks to secure documents and other evidence in the USA that could be relevant for a potential proceeding in Switzerland. (Reuters)
Controversial Billion-Dollar Plan
The «Fifa Forward Enterprise» project, which became known at the end of July, is at the centre. A new Fifa subsidiary was planned to manage commercial rights for major Fifa events. This included World Cups and other competitions.
Thrive Capital, led by US financier Joshua Kushner, was intended as a key investor. According to available documents, Thrive was to invest 4.2 billion US dollars for a stake in the new company. Details on the exact stake vary by source: Associated Press mentions 20 percent of the subsidiary, while The Guardian reports 21 percent of future Fifa revenues. (AP) (The Guardian)
Uefa considers the underlying valuation significantly too low. A 56-page document from their lawyers refers to an «absurdly low enterprise value of only approximately $20bn». Uefa criticizes that the valuation was apparently not secured by an independent appraisal or an open bidding process. (The Guardian)
Allegation of Criminal Mismanagement
From Uefa's perspective, the planned transaction could be criminally relevant. In US court documents, the European football association's lawyers state that they are preparing criminal proceedings in Switzerland against Infantino and potentially other Fifa officials and advisors for «criminal mismanagement» under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code concerns criminal mismanagement. Generally, anyone entrusted with managing third-party assets who violates their duties and causes financial harm is punishable. With intent for unlawful enrichment, the law provides for imprisonment of up to five years or a fine. (Fedlex)
Uefa's allegations have not yet been legally established. In particular, it is uncertain whether a Swiss criminal proceeding will be opened at all and how Swiss law enforcement authorities would assess the allegations.
Uefa Secures Evidence in USA
Before Uefa files a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland, it is trying to secure relevant documents in the United States. To this end, the association has filed applications with US courts. Among other things, documents and testimonies related to the creation, structuring, valuation, and planned implementation of the Fifa Forward Enterprise are sought.
This affects, among others, Fifa companies in Florida and the investment fund Thrive Capital. Uefa relies on a US procedure that allows for requesting evidence for a foreign judicial or investigative proceeding. (Reuters)
Uefa has thus initiated several legal steps, without a criminal proceeding against Infantino being publicly known in Switzerland yet.
Fifa Withdrew Project After Criticism
Fifa presented the plans for the Fifa Forward Enterprise at the end of July. It envisioned private investors participating in future revenues from the commercial rights of the world football association.
The project met with fierce resistance, particularly from Uefa. European associations feared that key commercial assets of Fifa could be permanently transferred to private investors. On August 1, Infantino withdrew the plan in light of international criticism. (AP)
Uefa does not consider the matter closed. It demands an independent external investigation of the project and intends to further examine the decision-making processes surrounding its development and valuation. (Reuters)
Boycott Threat Temporarily Suspended
The legal offensive comes shortly after a temporary easing of tensions in the dispute between the two associations. Uefa had previously threatened to withdraw European teams from Fifa competitions.
This boycott threat has now been temporarily suspended. This follows assurances from Fifa that the Fifa Forward Enterprise has been definitively abandoned. European teams can therefore participate in the U20 Women's World Cup in Poland, among other events. (Reuters)
At the same time, Uefa clarifies that the conflict over leadership and power distribution within Fifa is not over. The association intends to examine further political, legal, and institutional steps.
Infantino Faces Continued Pressure
The dispute thus goes beyond the failed billion-dollar project. Uefa increasingly questions Fifa's leadership structure and the extensive powers of its president. Infantino seeks another term; the next Fifa presidential election is scheduled for 2027.
Uefa is therefore not only trying to legally address the events surrounding the Fifa Forward Enterprise. It also aims to gain support among Fifa's membership for changes in the association's leadership.
Whether the now secured documents will indeed lead to a criminal complaint in Switzerland and subsequent criminal proceedings remains open. It is also currently undecided whether Swiss law enforcement authorities will investigate Infantino or other responsible parties.
A Swiss Proceeding Is Not Yet Foreseeable
For Switzerland, the case is particularly relevant because Uefa seeks potential criminal proceedings here. Infantino's primary residence and workplace as Fifa President are in Switzerland, while essential parts of the planned transaction and the evidence gathering now sought have a connection to the USA.
The next concrete step is therefore first in the United States: Uefa wants to gain access to documents that, in its opinion, can provide insight into the creation and valuation of the Fifa Forward Enterprise. Only then might the question arise of whether and in what form Uefa will file a criminal complaint in Switzerland.
Until then: Uefa makes serious allegations against Infantino and other potentially responsible parties. Criminal guilt has not been established thereby.
Sources
- The Guardian: Uefa raises stakes with criminal complaint in battle to unseat Infantino, August 27, 2026
- Associated Press: UEFA prepares criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA's Infantino, August 27, 2026
- Reuters: UEFA asks US court for FIFA documents in planned Swiss case against Infantino, August 27, 2026
- Reuters: UEFA suspends FIFA boycott threat but steps up pressure on world body, August 27, 2026
- Fedlex: Swiss Criminal Code, Art. 158 – Criminal Mismanagement
