UEFA is preparing to file a legal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, alleging “criminal mismanagement” in connection with a failed World Cup sell-off plan. The European football governing body is also seeking the disclosure of crucial documents in the United States to support its case in Swiss courts.

The core of UEFA’s complaint revolves around the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal. This plan would have seen Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital acquire 21% of FIFA’s future revenues in perpetuity for $4.2 billion. UEFA, in a 56-page document submitted to three US courts, described the FFE proposal as having an “absurdly low enterprise value of only approximately $20bn” (£14.7bn).

Questions raised over FFE valuation

Concerns over the FFE’s valuation have been central to UEFA’s opposition. FIFA’s revenue for the four-year cycle leading up to the most recent World Cup stood at $15 billion. Market analysts also suggested that a $20 billion valuation for FFE was notably low, especially given that the deal would not have precluded the expansion of existing tournaments or the introduction of new ones. Further highlighting the perceived undervaluation, Joshua Kushner later partnered with Bob Iger to purchase the LA Lakers for $12.5 billion.

UEFA’s legal action follows numerous unsuccessful requests to FIFA for document disclosure. As one source questioned this month, “We need to find out if they were selling the World Cup at a knockdown price.”

Read also: After 10 Grand Tours without an exit, Pogacar's first one ends 31km from home

Infantino’s future and the power struggle

Beyond the valuation, UEFA suspects that Infantino was positioning himself for a highly lucrative role as FFE’s chair, potentially worth tens of millions of pounds annually, after his planned departure as FIFA president in 2031. This legal move comes as UEFA, allied with Concacaf, attempts to rally support among FIFA member associations to unseat Infantino in the upcoming March presidential election.

Despite these efforts, some football associations have privately indicated that concrete evidence of criminal activity or personal enrichment would be necessary for them to withdraw their support for Infantino. The context of FIFA’s leadership history adds weight to the current situation:

• Sir Stanley Rous was the last FIFA president to leave office after a vote in 1974.

• João Havelange resigned after 24 years and was later found to have accepted bribes.

• Sepp Blatter stepped down in 2015 amidst an FBI investigation that led to over 20 criminal convictions in the US.

Infantino, meanwhile, recently attended a meeting of the Caribbean Football Union in the Dominican Republic, where he approved several funding projects, according to The Guardian.

UEFA has filed court papers in New York, Florida, and Colorado as part of its strategy to obtain the necessary documents for the Swiss legal proceedings, underscoring the international scope of this escalating dispute.

Read also: Tyson Fury reveals he saw Ngannou bout as an 'exhibition'

Read also: Man arrested for $1.3 million scam posing as San Francisco 49ers player