UEFA launches legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino

Tensions between UEFA and FIFA have reached a critical point following Gianni Infantino's attempt to sell commercial rights for major tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors through a new entity named FIFA Forward Enterprise. While the FIFA president retracted the controversial proposal in July 2026, UEFA has now initiated criminal proceedings in Switzerland, accusing Infantino of criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code. UEFA has filed a 60-page dossier in a Florida court seeking evidence and financial records to support these claims, alleging that the project was organized in secrecy without proper consultation.

In response to these developments, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has officially withdrawn its support for Infantino’s re-election candidacy for the March 2027 FIFA presidential vote. Meanwhile, UEFA officials are expected to inform the Executive Committee in Monaco that they will temporarily suspend their threat to boycott FIFA competitions, provided they receive further guarantees against such projects in the future. The conflict has caused significant friction within global football governance, with legal experts currently reviewing the documentation provided by European authorities.