UEFA readies criminal case against FIFA chief Infantino

UEFA, European football's governing body, is preparing to file criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Switzerland over his controversial plan to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup, according to court filings reviewed by Sky News. The legal challenge targets the now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which involved selling shares in a company controlling World Cup commercial rights to private investors.

UEFA subpoenaed FIFA and US financial institutions involved in the defunct scheme for relevant records while preparing the case, which will be launched in Switzerland where world football's governing body maintains its headquarters. The details emerged in new court documents after the European confederation demanded access to materials related to the valuation and financing of the transaction.

Allegations of criminal mismanagement

The court filings detail specific allegations against the FIFA president. A legal document seen by Sky News said: "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 … 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."

The proposal was withdrawn this summer following widespread opposition from national associations and continental confederations. Several governing bodies have continued to question Infantino's leadership ahead of leadership elections scheduled for next March, according to the reports.