UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino under Swiss law over alleged disloyal management concerning World Cup investment plans.
European football's governing body accuses Infantino of attempting to intentionally harm its interests through an initiative to open the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
The legal action focuses on the creation of a subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise in early August. The company was formed to commercialise FIFA competitions using private capital, although the venture has since been suspended.
Florida Court Action
UEFA has already taken legal steps in the United States, applying to a court in Florida for permission to access internal documents regarding the FIFA Forward Enterprise project.
The European organization intends to hand the documents over to Swiss prosecutors to support its criminal complaint against the FIFA president in Switzerland.
The legal challenge marks a significant escalation in an open conflict between European football administrators and the leadership of world football's governing body.
Demand for Reform and Resignation
Following a meeting in Monaco, UEFA issued an official document announcing that it will pursue all institutional, political, and legal options available to achieve fundamental reform at FIFA.
In the document, UEFA stated that proper limits must be restored to presidential authority and that FIFA must be governed as an institutional body rather than around a single individual.
The leader of UEFA will not run for the FIFA presidency in upcoming elections, but the European organization has formally called for Infantino to resign from his position as head of FIFA.
Governance and Background
UEFA, headquartered in Nyon, Switzerland, is the administrative body overseeing European football, while FIFA, based in Zurich, oversees international football globally. Infantino has served as FIFA president since 2016.
Under Swiss law, charges of disloyal management apply when an individual entrusted with managing organizational assets or interests breaches their duty, resulting in potential or actual financial harm to the institution.
