UEFA to File Criminal Claims Against Infantino Over World Cup Plan

UEFA is preparing to take legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Switzerland due to his unsuccessful proposals to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

The FIFA Forward Enterprise Plan, which aimed to generate $4.2 billion from investors including Thrive Capital, faced widespread criticism, prompting UEFA to threaten a boycott of the World Cup. Although that threat has been retracted following the abandonment of the plan, UEFA has expressed a lack of confidence in Infantino's leadership.

UEFA has requested documents related to the plan's development as part of its criminal claims, alleging that Infantino's actions were intended to benefit himself and select investors at the expense of FIFA and its member associations. The organization claims that the valuation of the stakes was not independently verified and was set at an unreasonably low price.