UEFA is threatening to seek criminal proceedings in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino and other officials from global football's governing body as part of ongoing efforts to oust him. European football's governing body confirmed the move following secret plans to sell off financial stakes in the World Cup.
In an explosive statement, UEFA announced it is "preparing to bring criminal claims in Switzerland against Infantino" alongside other FIFA officials. The European body said it will use the Swiss criminal code regarding the "secretive structuring, valuation, financing, and marketing" of the controversial plans.
As part of its legal offensive, UEFA has filed two formal filings with the US District Court, targeting FIFA and Thrive Capital. The American investment firm is headed by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law.
UEFA is also calling on legal authorities to establish whether Infantino, who is clinging to power, promoted a "fraudulently off-market price" for the tournament rights "for his own benefit." The move comes after UEFA withdrew its plans to boycott FIFA tournaments in protest over the proposals, having received explicit assurances from Infantino that there will be no repeat of the sell-off ahead of his re-election bid next year.
Swiss Penalties and Legal Grounds
Outlining the legal framework for its actions, UEFA pointed out that the Swiss criminal code sets strict penalties for corporate misconduct. Under Swiss law, anyone entrusted with managing property who breaches their duties and causes or permits financial loss faces a custodial sentence not exceeding three years.
UEFA added that punishments increase significantly if an offender acts for personal gain. If an individual is found to have acted with the intention of "securing unlawful gain for themselves or another," a custodial sentence "not exceeding five years" is among the potential punishments under the Swiss code.
Monaco Summit Demands Fundamental Reform
The legal escalation follows a meeting of national association representatives serving on UEFA's executive committee, who gathered in Monaco to discuss the situation ahead of the Champions League draw. The Champions League is Europe's premier annual club competition.
Following the summit, UEFA announced that those present "unanimously mandated the UEFA President and Administration to pursue every available institutional, political and legal avenue necessary to secure fundamental reform, restore proper limits on presidential authority and ensure that FIFA is once again governed as an institution, not around one individual."
A statement from UEFA added that "FIFA cannot investigate itself," declaring that trust in Infantino was "broken" and could not be restored. The European governing body vowed to seek a "credible alternative" candidate should Infantino stand for re-election next year.
Search for New Leadership and Reserves
To support a change in leadership, UEFA highlighted that FIFA holds "billions of dollars in reserves" which rightfully "belongs to the Member Associations." UEFA vowed to explore the "responsible release" of some of those financial reserves to associations across the world, a move clearly aimed at drumming up international support for an alternative presidential candidate.
Refusing to drop the matter despite the sell-off plan being abandoned, UEFA stated that halting the scheme does not resolve the underlying governance issues. "The abandonment of FFE does not erase the deception, intimidation and abuse of power that made it possible," UEFA added. "Nor does it restore the confidence that has been lost."
UEFA concluded its statement by insisting on structural reform to prevent power from concentrating around a single leader, stating: "FIFA must once again be governed as an institution serving football, not operate as an instrument of individual power."
