UEFA is in the process of filing a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Swiss courts for potential financial mismanagement related to his unsuccessful attempt to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.
According to UEFA, they have submitted paperwork in a Manhattan court seeking access to potential evidence from the New York investment firm, Thrive Capital Management, which was established by Joshua Kushner.
Additionally, UEFA has made a request in a southern Florida district for approval of discovery in a foreign proceeding against FIFA, which has offices in Coral Gables, a suburb of Miami. Thrive Capital Management and Kushner were set to be the primary investors planning to pay FIFA $4.2 billion for a 20% stake in a subsidiary responsible for managing the soccer organization’s commercial events, including the World Cup.
In a 56-page document reviewed by The Associated Press, UEFA’s legal team indicated that they are considering pursuing a criminal case in Switzerland against Infantino and potentially other FIFA officials for criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code. The document suggested that the $4.2 billion valuation could be an inflated price promoted by Infantino for his personal gain.
Infantino abandoned the sell-off proposal on August 1 after facing strong opposition from global soccer authorities, including UEFA. UEFA had initially threatened legal action on August 3, cautioning FIFA against tampering with or concealing any relevant documents associated with the plan.
UEFA’s lawyers alleged that the plan was portrayed as a means to unlock FIFA’s commercial potential, but in reality, it was a strategy for Infantino and a select group to secure a lasting stake in and profit from FIFA’s most valuable assets at the expense of FIFA, its members, and other entities within the soccer community.
Representatives from FIFA and Thrive have been contacted for their input on the matter. Earlier on Thursday, Infantino received public support from Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2034 World Cup. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) released a statement on social media expressing its current backing of Infantino’s efforts to promote global unity in soccer.
Infantino has cultivated strong relationships with Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his tenure as FIFA president and played a role in steering the 2034 World Cup towards the kingdom. Both individuals were present at a video gaming event sponsored by Saudi Arabia in Paris over the weekend.