UEFA prepares criminal proceedings against FIFA president Infantino over World Cup shares scandal

UEFA is preparing criminal proceedings in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, according to legal documents filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The move marks a significant escalation in European football’s efforts to hold Infantino accountable for his role in a failed attempt to sell shares in FIFA tournaments to outside investors.

The legal filing, first reported by Sky News, states that UEFA and other interested parties intend to bring criminal claims under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code — which covers criminal mismanagement — against Infantino and potentially other FIFA officials and advisors. The document alleges the scheme involved “secretive structuring, valuation, financing, and marketing of a transaction” that caused “direct and concrete injury on FIFA’s reputation, governance authority, and commercial relationships” to the detriment of FIFA and all 211 of its member associations, including UEFA’s 55.

As part of its legal strategy, UEFA is subpoenaing FIFA and the financial institutions connected to the failed deal in order to obtain relevant documents before pursuing action in Switzerland, where FIFA is headquartered. The US court application names not only Infantino but also JP Morgan Bank, planned lead investor Thrive Capital, and its chief executive Joshua Kushner.

The attempted share sale had generated significant controversy when it emerged earlier this year, raising concerns among member associations about transparency and governance at the top of world football. While the immediate furore had appeared to subside in recent weeks, the filing makes clear that UEFA’s legal challenge is very much active and advancing.

The breadth of the action — spanning US courts, Swiss criminal law, and multiple financial institutions — signals that UEFA is pursuing a multi-front strategy to build a factual record strong enough to support charges in Infantino’s home jurisdiction. Whether the Swiss authorities ultimately take up a formal criminal case will depend on the evidence UEFA is able to gather through the subpoena process.