UEFA to file criminal complaint against FIFA President Infantino

UEFA intends to lodge a criminal complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, escalating a dispute over a now-abandoned plan to transfer commercial rights linked to major tournaments. European football's governing body has asked a U.S. federal court for permission to obtain testimony and documents from FIFA entities located in Florida, which it plans to use in the Swiss proceedings.

The planned criminal complaint targets Infantino and potentially other FIFA officials and advisers. The core of the allegation revolves around a proposal to move commercial rights associated with the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup into a new subsidiary named FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). UEFA alleges that Infantino developed this proposal secretly with a small group of advisors and investors, bypassing FIFA's standard governance procedures and failing to consult with the FIFA Council, regional confederations, or member associations.

UEFA's filing in the U.S. court seeks authorization for discovery from two Florida-based FIFA entities: FIFA (AMERICAS), Inc. and FWC2026 US, Inc. The European body believes these organizations may possess relevant documents and witnesses pertaining to how the FFE transaction was conceived, structured, valued, and ultimately approved.

Gianni Infantino has faced significant pressure following the collapse of his private equity scheme. This move by UEFA signals a serious intent to pursue legal action against the FIFA president, highlighting deep divisions within international football governance.