UEFA planning criminal proceedings against Gianni Infantino as legal document leaks

A leaked legal document has revealed UEFA is preparing to launch bring criminal proceedings against Gianni Infantino over his controversial to sell shares in the World Cup.

Following the success of the 2026 World Cup in North America, a controversial plan pioneered by FIFA president Infantino emerged that involved selling off shares in tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors.

The proposal was widely condemned by fans, pundits and many of FIFA's member nations, with several countries publicly declaring their anger and disgust at the plan.

Perhaps the biggest opposition to the plan came from UEFA, the governing body of football in Europe, after it confirmed that all member nations, including England, would be boycotting FIFA competitions unless the plan was scrapped and promises were made that it would not resurface.

Eventually, FIFA confirmed that it would not be moving ahead with the controversial sell-off plan, but this did little to quieten demands for Infantino to either resign or be removed from his post as FIFA boss.

And now, UEFA appear set to take things even further, as a legal document has confirmed that the governing body is preparing to bring criminal proceedings against Infantino over the plan.

The documents, revealed by Sky News, confirm that UEFA is subpoenaing FIFA and the financial institutions involved in the US to obtain documents related to the proposal.

After obtaining this information, proceedings would be launched in Switzerland, where FIFA's headquarters are based.

One legal document states: "UEFA and other interested parties are preparing to bring criminal claims in Switzerland against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials and advisors for criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code and such further or alternative charges as the developed factual record may support, arising out of the secretive structuring, valuation, financing, and marketing of a transaction that inflicted direct and concrete injury on FIFA's reputation, governance authority, and commercial relationships to the detriment of FIFA as well as its 211 members, including UEFA's 55 member associations."

Mentioning the World Cup sale plans, UEFA adds: "It was a vehicle for Infantino and that small circle to acquire a permanent stake in and otherwise profit from FIFA's most valuable assets to the detriment of FIFA, its members, and other parties within the football family."

READ MORE: FIFA 'sack' one of Gianni Infantino's most senior officials after public criticism as statement issued

FIFA lash out at 'concerted effort' to 'undermine' Gianni Infantino

UEFA's actions come after FIFA spoke out against the backlash Infantino has been subject to since the plan was scrapped, calling out reports of the Swiss' alleged affair with an employee during his time as UEFA general secretary.

In a statement, FIFA made clear Infantino “strongly denies” the allegations, claiming they are “categorically untrue”.

FIFA’s statement read: “It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its President. Those who do not have the support of FIFA’s Member Associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA’s established democratic processes. “Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its President. Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true.

“The FIFA President has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football, contributing to significant change in the game and, in particular, to broadening access, resources and opportunity across world football. Change inevitably challenges established interests, but disagreement with that change cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of FIFA’s President or the institution he was elected to lead. FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny.

“But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress. Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously. FIFA’s responsibility is to its 211 Member Associations and to football around the world.

“We will not be distracted or diverted from strengthening the organisation, delivering for our Member Associations and continuing the work of making football truly global. Through the FIFA President and the FIFA administration, our focus remains firmly on that mission, and we are more determined than ever to fulfil it.”