UEFA readies criminal complaint against FIFA chief Infantino

UEFA is preparing a Strafanzeige in a Swiss Gericht against FIFA‑Boss Gianni Infantino, the Fifa‑Präsident, amid allegations of financial Misswirtschaft linked to his failed WM‑Gewinne plan with private Investoren. The European Fußball‑Union announced the move on Donnerstag, citing a Grund in the Zusammenhang between the plan and a proposed 4.2 billion‑dollar deal.

According to the British Presseagentur AP, UEFA – the Europäischen Fußball‑Union – has filed the Strafanzeige with a Swiss court (Schweizer Gericht). The document states that the Fifa‑Boss must soon answer for his actions before the Gericht. Der Grund for the case is alleged Misswirtschaft.

The complaint centres on Infantinos Plan to sell future WM‑Gewinne to private Investoren. The scheme would have handed a 20 percent stake in a FIFA subsidiary to the New York investment fund Thrive Capital Management. In the Zusammenhang, the proposed price of 4.2 billion US dollars is described as a fraudulent, market‑detached figure.

Manhattan filing and investors

On Donnerstag, UEFA said it had submitted Unterlagen to a court in Manhattan, requesting disclosure of potential evidence from Thrive Capital. Thrive, founded by Joshua Kushner, was slated to provide the 4.2 billion dollars. The filing aims to expose the financial Misswirtschaft.

The AP obtained a 56‑page dossier in which UEFA lawyers wrote that the case could be pursued under article 158 of the Schweizer Strafgesetzbuch. They allege that Infantino promoted the inflated price for his own benefit. Le Präsident is named in the dossier. The Anzeige therefore targets both the Fifa‑Präsident and possibly other FIFA officials.

Legal fallout and future implications

If convicted, Infantino could face a Haftstrafe, with the trial to be held in the Schweiz, the home of FIFA. UEFA chose the US route because the FIFA legal department is based there. Fu. Die EU‑Fußball‑Union even threatened a boycott of FIFA tournaments.

Infantino abandoned the plan in early August after massive criticism from numerous associations. The DFB‑Präsident Bernd Neuendorf was present in Monaco when UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin presented the next steps to the 55 national associations. Mit the DFB‑Präsident in attendance, the discussion intensified. Am Donnerstag the UEFA executive committee discussed the matter with Hans‑Joachim Watzke.

UEFA’s move mirrors the 2015 downfall of former Fifa‑Präsident Joseph Blatter, who resigned after US investigations. However, Blatter was never convicted. Im contrast, Infantino is set to stand for a fourth term on 18 March 2027, with 211 voting members yet to decide.

No alternative candidate has been named by the UEFA yet. Ein final decision will therefore depend on the outcome of the Swiss and possibly US proceedings.