UEFA is preparing a complaint accusing Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, of “criminal mismanagement” over his now-shelved plan to introduce private financing into the World Cup, according to a legal document seen by AFP.
Gatekeepers News reports that the document, which is expected to be filed in a court in Florida, United States, seeks permission to gather evidence for a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland, where UEFA and FIFA are both based.
“UEFA is actively considering legal action arising out of and in connection with the…plan proposed by FIFA,” the document states.
It adds that UEFA and other interested parties are preparing to bring criminal claims in Switzerland against Infantino and potentially other FIFA officials and advisers for alleged criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
UEFA’s position follows Infantino’s decision to shelve the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which sought to bring private financing into the World Cup.
The European football governing body had threatened to boycott the World Cup, a move widely viewed as a major factor in Infantino’s decision to abandon the proposal shortly after it was announced.
As part of its legal preparations, UEFA has requested access to a range of documents concerning the development and approval of the FFE plan.
Among the documents sought are records relating to a meeting at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City on July 18, 2026, on the eve of the World Cup final, which was attended by several senior FIFA directors.
The New York Times reported that the officials were briefed on the proposal and that two of the five directors present refused to approve it. One of them was FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who has since left the organisation.
“Specifically, UEFA seeks documents and communications from FIFA Americas and from FWC2026 concerning…..the governance and internal approval process for the FFE proposal, including all materials presented to the FIFA Council, FIFA Congress, FIFA Bureau, or FIFA Management Board,” the document said.
It also requested records relating to the July 18 meeting and “all analyses of the approval requirements under FIFA’s Statutes and governance policies.”
If it obtains the requested documents, UEFA intends to pursue the complaint in Switzerland. It said Swiss legal counsel had confirmed that the proposed proceedings could be brought under Swiss law.
“Swiss counsel has confirmed, on the factual record described in this application, that the proceeding is within reasonable contemplation for purposes of Swiss law,” UEFA said.
The document further alleges: “On information and belief, Infantino’s actions described herein rise to the level of criminal mismanagement.”
The allegations have not been established in court, and it remains to be seen whether UEFA will ultimately file the proposed criminal complaint in Switzerland.
