World Cup sell-off: UEFA to file criminal complaint against Infantino

UEFA is taking legal action against FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino for their alleged involvement in a controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors. Documents obtained by BBC Sport reveal that UEFA has requested access to evidence and documents for use in a criminal proceeding in Switzerland against Infantino and the international football organization.

UEFA claims that Infantino orchestrated the plan to enrich himself and potential private investors at the expense of FIFA, its member nations, and other parties within the football community. They argue that Infantino pushed the plan through internal FIFA approval in just a few days, giving little time for review. The valuation of the stakes to be sold was never independently verified, and the plan would have given investors a cheap and permanent financial interest in FIFA's commercial arm for $4.2 billion, despite a much higher estimated value of $20 billion.

UEFA's application seeks to access files from a court in Florida, where FIFA's businesses related to the 2026 World Cup are based, to help pursue criminal charges in Switzerland. The governing body claims that its 55 member nations could have been harmed by the plan and may pursue criminal proceedings against other FIFA officials. UEFA asserts that the plan was developed in secret without their knowledge or the knowledge of other key stakeholders in football, and that it had been in development for over a year.