The European football governing body,
UEFA’s legal representatives have indicated they are working with Swiss counsel to prepare a criminal complaint alleging that Infantino and other officials engaged in criminal mismanagement. Under Swiss law, such charges can carry prison sentences of up to five years if it is proven that an individual acted to secure illicit financial gains for themselves or others. The petition, filed on August 27, seeks authorization for subpoenas to obtain internal records and testimony from two FIFA-affiliated corporations based in Coral Gables, Florida.
Allegations of Mismanagement and Financial Irregularity
The core of the dispute involves the structure and valuation of the abandoned FFE proposal. UEFA contends that the plan, which sought to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial business for $4.2 billion, was fundamentally flawed. The European organization argues that the deal lacked a competitive bidding process and was not subjected to an independent financial valuation. UEFA claims that the valuation of $20 billion significantly undervalued FIFA’s assets, suggesting that market comparisons could support a valuation exceeding $30 billion.
Furthermore, the petition highlights concerns regarding the incentives offered to FIFA’s 211 member federations. The proposal included a one-time payment of up to $20 million per federation, contingent upon approval of the deal by a specific deadline. UEFA has characterized this as a form of financial coercion, alleging that FIFA intended to use its own reserves and future revenue to secure support for the sale of those same future assets. The petition also seeks to investigate reports that Infantino may have been positioned to receive a $30 million annual salary as the head of the new entity, a figure substantially higher than his current compensation as FIFA president.
Seeking Evidence in Florida
UEFA has targeted the Miami area because two key operational arms of the organization, FIFA Americas and FWC2026 US, maintain their principal offices in Coral Gables. The petition argues that these entities are likely to possess critical documentation, including communications between Infantino, investors such as Joshua Kushner, and commercial advisor Greg Maffei. The requested records include financial models, internal assessments of approval requirements, and details regarding a July 18 meeting in Manhattan where officials were asked to endorse the proposal.
The legal filing also requests that the court order the preservation of these records, citing concerns that evidence could be altered or destroyed. UEFA points to the secretive nature of the negotiations and the departure of former FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who had publicly criticized the FFE process, as reasons for their request. While the petition does not allege that the Florida-based entities have already destroyed evidence, it emphasizes the need for judicial intervention to secure materials for the anticipated Swiss proceedings. Neither FIFA nor the individuals named in the filing have responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
