Division, drama and power - what next for Infantino and Uefa?

Infantino's actions in the recent controversy surrounding Uefa's plans for selling stakes in competitions to private investors are described as criminal mismanagement by Uefa's lawyers. The scheme, which aimed to sell off stakes in FIFA competitions, was criticized for being fraudulent and for providing an absurdly low enterprise value for the World Cup. Uefa claims that the transaction benefited Infantino and his cronies at the expense of FIFA and its 211 member associations.

The Uefa lawyers have filed legal papers in the United States, requesting access to evidence to support potential litigation against Infantino in Switzerland. The documents reference Infantino's efforts to undermine FIFA's governance reforms and accuse him of conducting the transaction under a veil of secrecy. Uefa's legal action comes as a result of intense pressure from opposition groups, including three confederations, national associations, former players, politicians, and fan groups.

Despite initial setbacks, Infantino has received support from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, which backed his efforts to restore unity within FIFA. However, Uefa has escalated its legal proceedings, threatening criminal action against Infantino, which has been viewed as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Infantino has defended the FFE plan as a means of unlocking the commercial potential of FIFA, but he has since apologized for any errors.

The legal battle remains uncertain, with Uefa seeking disclosure of evidence related to the FFE plan from FIFA, Thrive Capital, and Greg Maffei, the key commercial adviser on the proposed deal. While Uefa believes they have an arguable case for criminal proceedings, the likelihood of success is high, and the case may eventually go to trial. The Swiss prosecutor will review the disclosed documents and decide whether there is enough evidence to bring charges against Infantino.