UEFA prepares criminal complaint against FIFA President Infantino

UEFA is escalating its pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino by preparing a criminal complaint in Switzerland.

European football's governing body is asking a U.S. federal court for permission to gather testimony and documents concerning the creation of the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) subsidiary. This FFE plan was Infantino's initiative to sell a stake in FIFA's commercial rights for major tournaments.

UEFA alleges that Infantino developed the FFE plan in secret with a small group of advisors and investors, bypassing FIFA's standard governance procedures. The association also claims the plan's valuation significantly undervalued FIFA's commercial rights and was not subjected to an open auction or independent assessment.

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UEFA and its counsel are contemplating a Swiss criminal proceeding against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials for criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code.

UEFA is seeking access to documents related to the FFE plan's background, including materials from a meeting in a New York City hotel where senior FIFA directors were reportedly briefed. Two of the five directors present reportedly refused to endorse the plan, including chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who has since left FIFA.

UEFA's lawyers stated in a 56-page document that they are contemplating a Swiss criminal proceeding against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials for criminal mismanagement. They believe Infantino's actions, as described, meet the threshold for criminal mismanagement under Swiss law.

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On information and belief, Infantino's actions described herein rise to the level of criminal mismanagement.