UEFA seeks U.S. court evidence for a planned Swiss criminal complaint against Gianni Infantino; FIFA calls it harassment
UEFA is asking U.S. courts for FIFA documents to support a planned Swiss criminal complaint accusing Gianni Infantino of mismanagement over his abandoned World Cup sell-off plan. FIFA's lawyers say the requests are made in bad faith to harass him.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
UEFA asked federal courts in Florida, New York and Colorado on August 27, 2026, to order discovery for a criminal complaint it is preparing in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials, alleging criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code. The complaint concerns the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, under which investors led by Josh Kushner's Thrive Capital would have paid $4.2 billion for a 20% stake in a new FIFA commercial subsidiary. Infantino withdrew the plan on August 1 after a backlash led by UEFA. FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries oppose the requests, saying no Swiss proceeding exists, UEFA suffered no loss and the Florida application was made in bad faith to harass Infantino before FIFA's presidential election.
Read the full background
Under the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, revealed in media reports on July 28, 2026, FIFA would have created a subsidiary to run its commercial events, including the World Cup, and sold at least 20% of its future commercial rights for $4.2 billion to investors led by Josh Kushner's Thrive Capital. FIFA has said the spinoff was intended to speed the development of soccer worldwide. After a backlash led by UEFA, Infantino dropped the plan on August 1 and later apologized for errors in how it was handled. AP, September 29 (opens in a new tab) AP, August 27 (opens in a new tab)
On August 27, UEFA asked federal courts in Florida, New York and Colorado to order discovery from FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries, Thrive Capital Management and J.P. Morgan entities under 28 U.S.C. 1782, a law that lets parties to foreign proceedings gather evidence in the United States. UEFA's lawyers wrote that they were contemplating a Swiss criminal proceeding against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials for criminal mismanagement, and suggested the $4.2 billion figure could be a fraudulent, below-market price promoted by Infantino for his own benefit. AP, August 27 (opens in a new tab) FIFA U.S. memorandum (opens in a new tab)
FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries oppose the requests. They argue that FIFA's statutes require UEFA to arbitrate its disputes with FIFA, that no Swiss criminal proceeding exists and UEFA cannot open one itself, and that UEFA suffered no loss because the plan was withdrawn. In Florida, FIFA's lawyers called the application a bad-faith attempt at harassment and asked the court to reject any attempt to influence FIFA's presidential election, set for March 2027 in Morocco, where Infantino plans to seek a fourth term. FIFA U.S. memorandum (opens in a new tab) AP, September 29 (opens in a new tab)
In its October 5 reply, UEFA said the law does not require a foreign proceeding to be pending and that it is preparing a complaint to submit to Swiss authorities. We found no ruling on the applications as of October 23. UEFA reply (opens in a new tab)
People in this case
Gianni InfantinoDirectly involved
Timeline
4 timeline entries on this page. Dates: July 28, 2026 to September 28, 2026
July 2026
Media reports reveal the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan
Media reports reveal Infantino's plan to create a FIFA commercial subsidiary and sell at least 20% of FIFA's future commercial rights for $4.2 billion to investors led by Josh Kushner. The revelation leads FIFA's then chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, to criticize Infantino's leadership, and senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigns in protest at the deal.
[01]Associated Press
Associated Press report, republished by NBC Sports Boston, on the opposition FIFA's lawyers filed in federal court in Florida on September 28 against UEFA's discovery request. It quotes the filing and summarizes the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan and its withdrawal.
FIFA accuses soccer body UEFA of harassment against president Gianni Infantino · Associated PressFull article
August 2026
Infantino drops the sell-off plan
Infantino drops the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan after intense criticism led by soccer officials in Europe. On August 3, UEFA warns FIFA against destroying or hiding any materials related to the plan.
[02]Associated Press
Associated Press report from Monaco, republished by The Gleaner, on the discovery applications UEFA filed in U.S. courts on August 27. It quotes UEFA's court papers and a UEFA statement about the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.
UEFA prepares criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA's Infantino over World Cup sell-off · Associated PressFull articleUEFA files discovery applications in U.S. courts
Claim
UEFA asks federal courts in Florida, New York and Colorado to order discovery from FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries, Thrive Capital Management and J.P. Morgan entities for use in a contemplated Swiss criminal proceeding against Infantino.
[02]Associated Press
Associated Press report from Monaco, republished by The Gleaner, on the discovery applications UEFA filed in U.S. courts on August 27. It quotes UEFA's court papers and a UEFA statement about the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.
UEFA prepares criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA's Infantino over World Cup sell-off · Associated PressFull article[03]FIFA
The 21-page memorandum FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York asking to intervene in one of UEFA's discovery applications. It argues that UEFA's requests fail the requirements of the federal discovery statute, 28 U.S.C. 1782, and that no Swiss criminal proceeding exists.
In re Ex Parte Application of UEFA, No. 1:26-mc-00431 (S.D.N.Y.), FIFA (Americas) Inc. and FWC2026 US Inc. memorandum in support of motion to intervene (Dkt. 15) · FIFAMemorandum of law, pages 6-7 (Argument)
September 2026
FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries oppose UEFA's Florida application
Reaction
In a 21-page filing in the Southern District of Florida, lawyers for FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries ask the judge to deny UEFA's request, call it a bad-faith attempt at harassment and point to the November 18 deadline for candidates in FIFA's presidential election.
[01]Associated Press
Associated Press report, republished by NBC Sports Boston, on the opposition FIFA's lawyers filed in federal court in Florida on September 28 against UEFA's discovery request. It quotes the filing and summarizes the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan and its withdrawal.
FIFA accuses soccer body UEFA of harassment against president Gianni Infantino · Associated PressFull article
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
UEFA
Gianni Infantino's FIFA Forward Enterprise plan was a vehicle for Infantino and a small circle to profit from FIFA's most valuable assets, and may amount to criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
What is disputed
FIFA's lawyers say UEFA falsely asserts that Infantino sought a personal financial interest in the plan. FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries argue that the Swiss offense requires a financial loss, that UEFA suffered none because the plan was withdrawn, and that no Swiss prosecutor has opened a proceeding. UEFA says it is preparing a complaint to submit to Swiss authorities.
Sources (4)
- UEFA prepares criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA's Infantino over World Cup sell-off · Associated PressFull article
- In re Ex Parte Application of UEFA, No. 1:26-mc-00431 (S.D.N.Y.), FIFA (Americas) Inc. and FWC2026 US Inc. memorandum in support of motion to intervene (Dkt. 15) · FIFAMemorandum of law, pages 6-7 (Argument)
- FIFA accuses soccer body UEFA of harassment against president Gianni Infantino · Associated PressFull article
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
4 responses. Newest first.
UEFAApplicant, in a reply brief filed by its lawyers in federal court in MiamiDirectly involved Before this statement
UEFA's reply answers the opposition of FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries, which argued that UEFA could not seek discovery because it had not yet filed a Swiss criminal complaint.
"UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint alleging Infantino and, potentially, the FIFA officers who developed FFE, violated Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code. It is planning to submit that complaint to the competent Swiss authorities."
CondemnedResponding to: Gianni Infantino's FIFA Forward Enterprise plan was a vehicle for Infantino and a small circle to profit from FIFA's most valuable assets, and may amount to criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
Full statement and sources
In a reply brief, UEFA tells the Florida court it is preparing a criminal complaint alleging that Infantino and possibly the FIFA officers who developed the plan violated Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
After the statement
The brief says UEFA needs the discovery to finalize and support that complaint, and that it intends to submit the evidence directly to the Swiss criminal authorities.
Why this label?
The reference point is Infantino's handling of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which UEFA says may amount to criminal mismanagement. UEFA tells the court it is preparing a complaint alleging that Infantino and possibly other FIFA officers violated the Swiss criminal mismanagement provision, which condemns his handling of the plan.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
FIFAFIFA, through lawyers for its U.S. subsidiaries in a filing in federal court in MiamiDirectly involved Before this statement
The AP reports that FIFA's lawyers urged the Florida judge in a 21-page filing to deny UEFA's discovery request, arguing that it was made in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment. UEFA's earlier filings had called the $4.2 billion valuation a "fraudulently off-market price promoted by Infantino for his own benefit" amid speculation that he wanted a chief executive role at the subsidiary.
"falsely asserts that Mr. Infantino sought to have a personal financial interest in the FFE project."
DeniedResponding to: Gianni Infantino's FIFA Forward Enterprise plan was a vehicle for Infantino and a small circle to profit from FIFA's most valuable assets, and may amount to criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
Full statement and sources
In their Florida filing, FIFA's lawyers say UEFA falsely asserts that Infantino sought a personal financial interest in the FIFA Forward Enterprise project.
After the statement
The AP adds that the plan was revealed by media reports on July 28, and that Infantino later apologized for errors in how it was handled.
FIFA accuses soccer body UEFA of harassment against president Gianni Infantino · Associated PressFull articleWhy this label?
The reference point is Infantino's handling of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which UEFA says may amount to criminal mismanagement. FIFA's lawyers call UEFA's assertion that Infantino sought a personal financial interest in the project false, which denies a central part of UEFA's allegation.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
FIFAFIFA's U.S. subsidiaries, in a memorandum filed by their lawyers in federal court in New YorkDirectly involved Before this statement
The memorandum argues that FIFA's statutes require UEFA to arbitrate disputes with FIFA and that the U.S. Supreme Court has held that this kind of discovery cannot be used in aid of arbitration.
"UEFA attempts to manufacture a qualifying proceeding by repackaging what it previously described as a dispute potentially giving rise to "legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints" as speculative criminal allegations that no prosecutor has adopted and that UEFA itself lacks authority to pursue."
Challenged the characterizationResponding to: Gianni Infantino's FIFA Forward Enterprise plan was a vehicle for Infantino and a small circle to profit from FIFA's most valuable assets, and may amount to criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
Full statement and sources
FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries tell the New York court that UEFA is trying to manufacture a qualifying proceeding by recasting its dispute with FIFA as criminal allegations that no prosecutor has adopted.
After the statement
The memorandum adds that the Swiss offense UEFA relies on requires UEFA to have sustained financial loss, but that FIFA withdrew the FFE proposal and UEFA sustained no financial loss, or any other harm.
In re Ex Parte Application of UEFA, No. 1:26-mc-00431 (S.D.N.Y.), FIFA (Americas) Inc. and FWC2026 US Inc. memorandum in support of motion to intervene (Dkt. 15) · FIFAMemorandum of law, pages 6-7 (Argument)Why this label?
The reference point is Infantino's handling of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which UEFA says may amount to criminal mismanagement. FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries describe UEFA's criminal theory as speculative allegations that no prosecutor has adopted, repackaged from what UEFA earlier called a dispute for legal action or arbitration. They dispute UEFA's framing of the plan as a criminal matter.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
UEFAGoverning body of European soccer, in court papers quoted by the APDirectly involved Before this statement
The AP reports that UEFA's lawyers told the courts that Infantino had claimed the plan would unleash the commercial potential and opportunity that FIFA has.
"In truth, 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."
CondemnedResponding to: Gianni Infantino's FIFA Forward Enterprise plan was a vehicle for Infantino and a small circle to profit from FIFA's most valuable assets, and may amount to criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
Full statement and sources
In court papers seeking U.S. discovery, UEFA's lawyers describe the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan as a vehicle for Infantino and a small circle to take a permanent stake in and profit from FIFA's most valuable assets.
After the statement
UEFA's lawyers go on to say the investors stood to acquire a permanent financial interest in FIFA's commercial arm for $4.2 billion, implying an enterprise value of about $20 billion that was neither set by an open, competitive auction nor tested by an independent valuer.
UEFA prepares criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA's Infantino over World Cup sell-off · Associated PressFull articleWhy this label?
The reference point is Infantino's handling of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which UEFA says may amount to criminal mismanagement. UEFA's lawyers say the plan was a vehicle for Infantino and a small circle to profit from FIFA's assets to the detriment of FIFA and its members, which condemns his handling of it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(4)
Original text
In re Ex Parte Application of UEFA, No. 1:26-cv-25872 (S.D. Fla.), UEFA reply in support of its Section 1782 application (Dkt. 28)
Relevant passage: Reply brief, pages 1-4
About this source
The 13-page reply UEFA filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in support of its request to subpoena documents and testimony from FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries, FIFA (Americas) Inc. and FWC2026 US Inc., for use in a criminal complaint it is preparing in Switzerland. It answers the subsidiaries' opposition and asks the court to grant the application.
- Author
- Counsel for UEFA: Andrew J. Levander and others at Dechert LLP
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
UEFA prepares criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA's Infantino over World Cup sell-off
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Associated Press report from Monaco, republished by The Gleaner, on the discovery applications UEFA filed in U.S. courts on August 27. It quotes UEFA's court papers and a UEFA statement about the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.
- Author
- The Associated Press
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
FIFA accuses soccer body UEFA of harassment against president Gianni Infantino
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Associated Press report, republished by NBC Sports Boston, on the opposition FIFA's lawyers filed in federal court in Florida on September 28 against UEFA's discovery request. It quotes the filing and summarizes the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan and its withdrawal.
- Author
- Graham Dunbar, The Associated Press
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
In re Ex Parte Application of UEFA, No. 1:26-mc-00431 (S.D.N.Y.), FIFA (Americas) Inc. and FWC2026 US Inc. memorandum in support of motion to intervene (Dkt. 15)
Relevant passage: Memorandum of law, pages 6-7 (Argument)
About this source
The 21-page memorandum FIFA's U.S. subsidiaries filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York asking to intervene in one of UEFA's discovery applications. It argues that UEFA's requests fail the requirements of the federal discovery statute, 28 U.S.C. 1782, and that no Swiss criminal proceeding exists.
- Author
- Counsel for FIFA (Americas) Inc. and FWC2026 US Inc.: H. Christopher Boehning, Linklaters LLP
- Published
- Accessed
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- Title
- UEFA seeks U.S. court evidence for a planned Swiss criminal complaint against Gianni Infantino; FIFA calls it harassment
- First published
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The Dispute Index. "UEFA seeks U.S. court evidence for a planned Swiss criminal complaint against Gianni Infantino; FIFA calls it harassment". First published: 2026-10-23. Last updated: 2026-10-23. https://disputeindex.com/cases/uefa-section-1782-infantino-swiss-complaint