Gianni Infantino’s professional future is being debated across world football. At home, however, his family has remained entirely outside the public battle.
UEFA is preparing to bring criminal claims in Switzerland against the FIFA president and potentially other officials and advisers over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise project.
According to The Guardian, European football’s governing body has asked a US court for access to documents held by FIFA entities and Thrive Capital. The material could be used in a future case alleging criminal mismanagement.
The allegations have not been tested in court, and Infantino has not been charged or convicted of an offence.
Read also: “Read the news”: Trump and Vance row spills into NFL
No public response from his wife
No public statement from Infantino’s wife, Leena Al Ashqar, or another member of his immediate family has emerged following UEFA’s latest move.
The silence does not necessarily indicate support or opposition. Instead, it follows the private approach Al Ashqar has maintained throughout her husband’s decade at the top of FIFA.
As described by Town & Country, the Lebanese-born Al Ashqar avoids interviews and does not maintain a public social media presence.
She previously worked in administration and event planning for the Lebanese Football Federation, where she met Infantino. They married in 2001 and have four daughters.
Read also: Green Bay Packers star Josh Jacobs charged with battery and criminal damage as fans react
Al Ashqar occasionally attends major football events, including the 2026 World Cup draw and the 2025 Club World Cup final, but rarely speaks publicly. None of the family members have a formal role in FIFA’s leadership.
Serious claims over World Cup plan
The controversy centres on Infantino’s proposal to sell private investors a permanent 20 per cent interest in FIFA’s commercial operations for $4.2 billion.
UEFA’s lawyers allege that the resulting $20 billion valuation was “absurdly low” and had not been examined through an open auction or independent assessment. They also claim the project was prepared secretly by Infantino and a small circle of advisers.
Infantino withdrew the plan after UEFA and other confederations threatened drastic action. UEFA has since demanded an independent investigation and indicated that it will support a rival candidate in the 2027 FIFA election.
Read also: “Terrible mistake”: Trump’s FIFA ally faces legal storm
Private family, public crisis
Al Ashqar has no obligation to comment on allegations concerning her husband’s professional conduct. Her continued silence is consistent with a family life kept deliberately away from the media.
The contrast is nevertheless striking. While football officials publicly question whether Infantino can remain president, the people closest to him have offered no public indication of how the growing crisis is affecting the family behind FIFA’s most powerful man.
Read also: “Terrorist connection”: Trump golf case takes dramatic turn
