UEFA Takes Legal Action Against FIFA President Infantino Over Controversial World Cup Plan
By Editor • August 27, 2026 • 1 min read
In a dramatic turn of events, UEFA is gearing up to file a criminal complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, following backlash over his proposed privatization of the World Cup. This move comes after UEFA’s member nations released a joint statement demanding an independent investigation into the now-abandoned plan to sell commercial stakes in the prestigious tournament.
Documents submitted to federal courts in New York and Florida indicate that UEFA aims to gather evidence for legal actions in Switzerland, where FIFA is headquartered. The court filings accuse Infantino and a select group of advisors of spending over a year clandestinely working on the controversial scheme, which UEFA claims harmed FIFA's reputation and governance.
According to UEFA, the offers made to private investors were significantly undervalued, with an assessment suggesting that a $4.2 billion investment would imply a mere $20 billion enterprise valuation. They argue this was not conducted through a fair auction process or independent evaluation.
The fallout from Infantino's privatization plan, which was announced on July 28, ignited tensions within global football, prompting UEFA's member nations—including England, France, and Germany—to threaten a boycott of future World Cups if the proposal proceeded. Ultimately, Infantino rescinded the plan, acknowledging it had caused divisions within the sport.
Following this, UEFA reiterated the necessity for a thorough investigation, emphasizing that FIFA's internal review would not suffice and calling for new leadership within the organization.
Source: www.abc.net.au
