Uefa is preparing to bring criminal claims against Fifa president Gianni Infantino in Switzerland, alleging criminal mismanagement connected to the failed Fifa Forward Enterprise plan and the sale of World Cup rights. The European governing body says the complaint will be filed with Swiss authorities and relates to how the investment scheme was conceived and handled.
In an escalation of the conflict between football's two most powerful governing bodies, Uefa has also made separate applications in the United States seeking information from Fifa and the investment firm Thrive Capital. The requests are tied to the conception of the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, a proposed vehicle that was meant to channel outside investment into the sport but collapsed before it could be implemented.
The move marks a sharp turn in relations between Uefa and Infantino, who has led Fifa since 2016. European football officials have grown increasingly frustrated with the Swiss president's management style and his push to restructure the sport's commercial operations. The failed plan, which was intended to bring private capital into Fifa's business, became a flashpoint after it fell apart without delivering the promised financial benefits.
Uefa's applications in the United States seek access to documents that could shed light on how the plan was developed and who was involved in the negotiations. Thrive Capital, a New York-based investment firm, was among the parties linked to the proposed arrangement. The European body believes the documents could support its case that Infantino engaged in criminal mismanagement under Swiss law, which covers breaches of fiduciary duty by corporate officers.
The complaint would be a significant legal threat to Infantino, who has faced repeated scrutiny over his conduct in office. He has denied wrongdoing in previous investigations and has maintained that his reforms have modernized Fifa. The Swiss Office of the Attorney General has not confirmed whether it has received any filing from Uefa, and no charges have been brought against Infantino at this stage.
The dispute also carries implications for the broader relationship between Uefa and Fifa. European federations had threatened to boycott Fifa events over the failed investor plan, a move that would have fractured the international football calendar. That threat has reportedly been lifted as Uefa shifts its focus to legal action instead, though tensions remain high.
Infantino's tenure has been marked by controversy, including investigations into his meetings with foreign officials and the awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. The latest complaint, if filed, would add another layer of legal exposure for the Fifa president as he seeks to secure his legacy and oversee the next World Cup cycle.
Neither Fifa nor Infantino has issued a public response to Uefa's announced intention. Thrive Capital has not commented on the U.S. applications. The case is expected to unfold over the coming months as Swiss authorities decide whether to open a formal investigation.