{
  "id": 3769581,
  "title": "Uefa preparing criminal case against Fifa president Gianni Infantino over World Cup sell off plan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/uefa-preparing-criminal-case-against-fifa-president-gianni-infantino-3769581",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T15:39:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/08/27/uefa-preparing-criminal-case-against-fifa-president-gianni-infantino-over-world-cup-sell-off-plan/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UEFA is preparing criminal proceedings against FIFA president Gianni Infantino for his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup. The European football governing body has requested documents related to Infantino's Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan, which aimed to seek private investment in the World Cup and other tournaments. UEFA claims that Infantino developed the proposal in secret with a select group of advisers and investors, bypassing normal governance processes and failing to consult FIFA's Council, regional confederations, or member associations. The request for evidence was filed in the United States for use in proceedings against Infantino and FIFA in Switzerland. The organization argues that the plan was designed to grant Infantino and a small circle of associates a permanent stake in FIFA's most valuable assets at the expense of the global football family. Infantino pushed the plan through internal FIFA approval in a hastily convened meeting, giving limited time to officials who were unaware of its existence. The application also highlights the questionable valuation of the stakes, which was deemed too low at $4.2 billion, implying an unrealistic enterprise value of approximately $20 billion. This low valuation was attributed to the lack of an open, competitive auction and independent valuation. UEFA asserts that the secretive structure, valuation, financing, and marketing of the plan caused direct injury to FIFA's reputation, governance authority, and commercial relationships, affecting the organization and its 211 member associations.",
  "summary": "Uefa is preparing to launch criminal proceedings against Fifa president Gianni Infantino over his botched attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup. European football's governing body has applied for the release of documents related to Infantino's Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan which involved seeking private investment in the World Cup and its other tournaments. Uefa alleges Infantino…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Uefa preparing criminal case against Fifa president Gianni Infantino over World Cup sell off plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/uefa-preparing-criminal-case-against-fifa-president-gianni-infantino",
        "published": "2026-08-27T15:39:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "UEFA preparing criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/uefa-preparing-criminal-complaint-against-fifa-president-gianni",
        "published": "2026-08-27T16:48:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tempo.co English",
        "title": "UEFA to Bring Criminal Complaint Against Gianni Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/uefa-to-bring-criminal-complaint-against-gianni-infantino",
        "published": "2026-08-27T17:19:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}