UEFA’s nuclear move as mutiny against Infantino escalates
UEFA is seeking to gather evidence for a potential legal challenge in Swiss courts against Gianni Infantino for his failed plan to sell stakes in FIFA-run tournaments.
The governing body of European football, which overseas 55 member associations, is preparing for “criminal proceedings,” with reports a complaint against Infantino could be filed in Switzerland - the home of FIFA headquarters.
Pressure continues to mount on FIFA president Gianni Infantino. AP
Reports indicate that UEFA has filed documents in a Manhattan court in an effort to obtain evidence connected to a plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to a US-based investment fund run by Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared is married to US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka.
The filing was also submitted to FIFA’s North America headquarters in Florida, as well as to Thrive Capital Management and JP Morgan, both based in New York.
According to the filings, UEFA’s claim is that a 20 per cent stake at $5.8 billion AUD was extremely undervalued and a proper value assessment was never completed.
English media is reporting other FIFA officials may also be named in the complaint and accused of financial mismanagement under “Swiss Criminal Code.”
Infantino’s plan, which involved creating a subsidiary that would run FIFA’s commercial events, was abandoned after backlash from member federations.
UEFA was the first federation to call for Infantino’s resignation in the wake of the failed investment plan, as did CONCACAF - the governing body of North American, Central American and Caribbean football - and the Asian Football Confederation.
Key figures at UEFA met in Monaco before the Champions League draw on Thursday to discuss various football matters, one being Infantino’s presidency.
Infantino is currently in his second term as FIFA president and has already expressed an intention to run for his third and final term in a March election.
The Swiss sports administrator has run without opposition in each past election.
UEFA has made clear that the consequences of Infantino’s recent movements as president has resulted in all trust being broken.
“FIFA cannot investigate itself and expect the football community simply to accept its conclusions,” the statement continued.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino stands next to Donald Trump at the World Cup final. Getty Images
“The consequences of this crisis go beyond governance. The trust required to exercise the office of FIFA President has been broken and cannot be restored by withdrawing one proposal, issuing assurances or promising reform after the event. World football now needs new leadership capable of rebuilding that trust.
“Those present unanimously mandated the UEFA president and administration to pursue every available institutional, political and legal avenue necessary to secure fundamental reform, restore proper limits on presidential authority and ensure that FIFA is once again governed as an institution – not around one individual.
“UEFA will therefore continue working with confederations, member associations and the wider football community – including fans, players, clubs, leagues and others – to shape the future of FIFA.
“Should the current FIFA President nevertheless seek another mandate, UEFA will join forces with its partner confederations to ensure that member associations are offered a credible alternative – one committed to integrity, accountability, development and genuine institutional change.”
