UEFA Prepares Criminal Charges Against FIFA President Infantino Over World Cup Deal
UEFA has escalated its conflict with FIFA President Gianni Infantino by submitting a 60-page evidence request to a U.S. federal court in Florida and filing a lawsuit in New York. The legal actions seek documents related to Infantino’s abandoned plan to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial operations to Thrive Eternal for $4.2 billion, which UEFA alleges was undervalued and promoted for personal benefit. UEFA aims to use the evidence for a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland, accusing Infantino of criminal mismanagement and fraud.
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Reports are grouped by semantic similarity and deterministic rules. Language models may assist titles, summaries, translation and cross-source analysis; the page reads the event directly, while its address stays stable when the title changes.
- Source updates available; summary pending
Summary pending
Cross-source coverage
Reporting timeline
UEFA's boycott of FIFA collapses as European teams confirm U20 Women's World Cup participation
According to a report by Spain's El País, UEFA's attempt to pressure FIFA President Gianni Infantino over a controversial 'World Cup privatization' plan has failed. UEFA had called for a comprehensive boycott of FIFA events after FIFA proposed creating a subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to handle World Cup commercial rights and sell 20% of shares to private capital, reportedly linked to a relative of former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, European teams including England, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France will participate in the U20 Women's World Cup in Poland starting September 5. The boycott collapsed due to internal European divisions, the financial incentive of €40 million annually for member associations from 2027-2031, and ethical concerns about punishing young female players. UEFA's coalition with AFC and CONCACAF also fractured as Mexico and Qatar sided with Infantino. UEFA is now considering a criminal complaint in Zurich, but analysts expect legal proceedings to outlast both Infantino's and UEFA President Čeferin's terms.
FIFA Hires Lawyer Alex Spiro to Defend Against UEFA Lawsuit Over World Cup Rights
UEFA is pursuing FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his partners through US courts over a secret World Cup commercial rights project. Thrive Capital, led by Joshua Kushner, has hired prominent American lawyer Alex Spiro—who previously represented Elon Musk, Jay-Z, and Alec Baldwin—to respond to UEFA's legal application. The project, called 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' (FFE), aimed to allow private capital to hold up to 20% of World Cup commercial rights, valued at a minimum of $4.2 billion. UEFA has filed applications in three US courts demanding full disclosure of the project's details, and is also seeking court orders against JPMorgan Chase and Greg Maffei. Although the disclosure requests are in the US, any criminal cases would be brought in Switzerland where both organizations are headquartered. UEFA is reportedly determined to push Infantino out of his FIFA presidency. Kushner expressed regret over his company's involvement, stating he 'failed to fully recognize the political dynamics in global football.' Infantino has indicated he will run for re-election in March next year.
Read sourceUEFA Prepares Criminal Complaint Against FIFA President Infantino Over FFE Deal
UEFA is considering filing a criminal complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Switzerland, while FIFA confirms it will cover his legal costs. The dispute stems from Infantino's proposed 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' (FFE) plan, which aimed to sell a 20% minority stake in FIFA's commercial and event operations to Thrive Eternal, a US investment fund managed by Joshua Kushner, for $4.2 billion. UEFA filed a legal document in the US on August 28 accusing Infantino of pushing a 'fraudulent non-market price' for his 'own benefit,' calling the valuation 'absurdly low' and not subject to competitive auction or independent appraisal. FIFA has not responded to the accusations. Kushner stated Thrive 'failed to fully understand the political dynamics of global football' and would not have participated if foreseen. Despite mounting pressure, Infantino resists calls to resign, with divisions emerging within CONCACAF and AFC. The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, with candidate applications due by November 18.
Read sourceShow 9 older updatesHide older updates
FFE investor regrets involvement as UEFA prepares criminal charges against FIFA's Infantino
On September 2, 2024, The Times reported that Joshua Kushner, lead investor in the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, publicly expressed regret for his involvement, stating his firm Thrive Capital would not have participated had it anticipated the backlash. Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, claimed the project aimed to distribute football funding more equitably but admitted underestimating the political landscape. Meanwhile, UEFA's lawyers are seeking US court orders to compel disclosure of all FFE-related communications and are preparing to file a criminal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Court documents allege the $4.2 billion valuation for a 20% stake in FIFA tournaments was 'ridiculously low,' not generated through open auction or independent valuation. UEFA alleges violations of Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code, suspected criminal mismanagement, and seeks subpoenas for Thrive Capital and Kushner to provide evidence.
FIFA Investment Plan Core Investor Says Would Not Have Participated If Known Outcome
Joshua Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital and the core investor in FIFA's now-defunct private investment plan for World Cup commercial rights, has publicly responded to the controversy for the first time. In July, FIFA President Gianni Infantino promoted the establishment of 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' (FFE), a commercial entity valued at approximately $20 billion. FIFA planned to sell about 20% of its shares to raise up to $4.2 billion, with Thrive Capital as the cornerstone investor. The plan faced strong opposition from UEFA and others, leading Infantino to withdraw it at the end of July. Kushner stated that while they still agree with FFE's original goal of distributing funds more equally among FIFA's 211 member associations and increasing investment in grassroots football, they underestimated the complex political dynamics within world football. He said, 'If we had known things would turn out this way, we would not have participated.' The incident continues as UEFA has filed a request with the U.S. Federal Court to obtain communications related to the FFE plan for use in a planned criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland.
Read sourceUEFA Files in New York for Possible Criminal Action Against FIFA President Infantino in Switzerland
UEFA, European football's governing body, has initiated a legal filing in New York as a preparatory step for potential criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Switzerland. The move signals escalating tensions between the two football organizations, with UEFA taking legal action in a U.S. jurisdiction ahead of possible charges in Switzerland. The specific nature of the alleged wrongdoing or the legal basis for the action is not detailed in the brief post. This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing rift between UEFA and FIFA leadership.
Read sourceUEFA Sues in New York for FIFA World Cup Monetization Info for Swiss Criminal Probe
UEFA, the governing body of European football, has filed a lawsuit in a New York court. The lawsuit seeks to obtain information regarding FIFA's plans to monetize the World Cup. This information is intended to be used in a potential criminal proceeding that is being conducted in Switzerland. The legal action highlights ongoing tensions between the two major football organizations over financial governance and transparency related to the sport's premier international tournament.
Read sourceUEFA Considers Criminal Complaint Against FIFA President Gianni Infantino
UEFA, European soccer's governing body, is preparing a possible criminal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino for criminal mismanagement, according to U.S. court documents viewed by Forbes. The complaint relates to Infantino's alleged financial mismanagement of FIFA when he proposed an unsuccessful plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. In a federal court filing in Florida, UEFA asked the court to consider serving subpoenas for discovery to FIFA Americas, including communications with Thrive Capital (founded by Joshua Kushner) and BANN Ventures (founded by Greg Maffei), concerning the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise. FIFA has not yet responded to a request for comment. The story is breaking and will be updated.
Read sourceUEFA escalates pressure on FIFA President Infantino, prepares criminal proceedings over failed World Cup sell-off plan
UEFA has intensified its campaign against FIFA President Gianni Infantino by requesting document disclosure in a U.S. federal court, signaling readiness to launch criminal proceedings in Switzerland. The move stems from Infantino's abandoned plan to sell a 20% stake in FIFA's commercial and event operations, named FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), to Thrive Eternal, a U.S. investment fund run by Joshua Kushner, for $4.2 billion. UEFA's lawyers argue the valuation was 'absurdly low,' not subject to competitive auction or independent valuation, and was promoted by Infantino for personal benefit. The plan was scrapped after widespread backlash, but the legal and political fallout continues to threaten Infantino's presidency. The Athletic obtained the legal filing, which accuses Infantino of orchestrating a fraudulent off-market deal. FIFA and Thrive Eternal have been approached for comment.
Read sourceUEFA escalates pressure on FIFA President Infantino, seeks to launch criminal proceedings over failed FFE plan
UEFA has filed a legal request in the United States District Court seeking document disclosure as a precursor to launching criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Switzerland. The European football governing body accuses Infantino of promoting a 'fraudulently off-market price' for his own benefit when proposing to sell a 20% stake in FIFA's commercial operations (FFE) to Thrive Eternal, a fund run by Joshua Kushner, for $4.2 billion. UEFA's lawyers argue the valuation was 'absurdly low' and not subject to competitive auction or independent valuation. The legal filing also targets Thrive, Kushner, JPMorgan, and Bann Ventures. If convicted of criminal mismanagement under Swiss law, Infantino could face up to five years in prison. The FFE plan was scrapped after widespread backlash that continues to threaten Infantino's presidency.
UEFA escalates pressure on FIFA President Infantino with criminal proceedings threat
UEFA, European football's governing body, has filed a legal request in U.S. District Court to obtain documents as a precursor to launching criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Switzerland. The move stems from Infantino's abandoned plan to sell a 20% stake in FIFA's commercial arm, FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), to Thrive Eternal, a U.S. investment fund run by Joshua Kushner, for $4.2 billion. UEFA's lawyers allege the valuation was 'absurdly low' and 'fraudulently off-market,' promoted by Infantino for his own benefit. The filing also targets Thrive, Kushner, JPMorgan, and Bann Ventures. UEFA argues that if Infantino is found guilty of criminal mismanagement under Swiss law, he could face up to five years in prison. The FFE plan was scrapped after widespread backlash, threatening Infantino's presidency.
UEFA Submits 60-Page Evidence Request, Prepares Criminal Charges Against FIFA President Infantino
UEFA has submitted a 60-page forensic evidence application to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, signaling its preparation to file criminal charges against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Switzerland. According to the application, seen by talkSPORT, UEFA is requesting the court to authorize subpoenas for two U.S.-based entities—FIFA Americas and organizations related to the 2026 World Cup—to obtain documents and communication records. This evidence is intended to support a criminal case against Infantino. The move escalates the ongoing legal and governance conflict between UEFA and the FIFA leadership, highlighting tensions over transparency and accountability in international football governance.