UEFA is gearing up to file a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Swiss courts for potential financial mismanagement related to his unsuccessful proposal to sell future World Cup revenue to private investors. The European soccer body has taken legal action by submitting documents in a Manhattan court to request evidence from the New York investment firm, Thrive Capital Management, established by Joshua Kushner.
Additionally, UEFA has sought authorization for discovery in a southern Florida district to investigate FIFA directly, as the organization has offices in Coral Gables. The plan involved Thrive and Kushner as anchor investors, intending to pay FIFA $4.2 billion for a 20% stake in a subsidiary responsible for managing FIFA’s commercial events, including the World Cup.
UEFA’s lawyers have indicated the possibility of initiating a Swiss criminal proceeding against Infantino and other FIFA officials for alleged criminal mismanagement. They have raised concerns that the proposed $4.2 billion deal may have been an inflated price intended for Infantino’s personal gain, labeling it as potentially fraudulent.
Infantino abandoned the sell-off proposal on August 1 following strong opposition from global soccer leaders, including UEFA. UEFA had previously warned FIFA not to conceal or destroy any relevant documents related to the plan, signaling its intention to take legal action if necessary.
According to UEFA’s legal team, Infantino’s plan was portrayed as a means to unlock FIFA’s commercial potential, but they argue that it was primarily designed to benefit Infantino and a select group at the expense of FIFA, its members, and other stakeholders in the football community.
FIFA and Thrive have been contacted for comments on the matter. In a separate development, Saudi Arabia, the host nation for the 2034 World Cup, publicly expressed support for Infantino’s efforts to unite global soccer. Infantino has cultivated strong ties with Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his tenure, playing a role in steering the 2034 World Cup towards the kingdom. Both attended a Saudi-sponsored video gaming event in Paris recently.
