The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has opened criminal legal proceedings against world football governing body FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, over a controversial plan to sell stakes in the commercial rights to major FIFA competitions to private investors.
According to a documents seen by BBC Sport on Thursday, UEFA had applied for access to evidence and documents it considers relevant to proceedings being pursued in Switzerland against FIFA and Infantino.
The legal action followed Infantino’s announcement on July 28, 2026, of plans to transfer the commercial rights to the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup to a new FIFA subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise.
Disputed FIFA commercial rights plan
According to documents cited in the application, the proposed structure was announced without prior consultation with the FIFA Council, UEFA, other continental confederations or FIFA’s 211 member associations.
The application stated that Infantino had publicly announced the plan while purportedly acting on behalf of FIFA, despite the alleged lack of consultation with key stakeholders within the organisation.
The proposal reportedly involved placing the commercial rights to some of FIFA’s most valuable competitions into a new subsidiary, potentially allowing private investors to acquire stakes in the commercial business.
Allegations of secret planning
UEFA’s application further alleged that the announcement was the culmination of a plan allegedly developed in secret by Infantino and a small group of associates for more than a year.
The European governing body is seeking access to documents and other evidence that it believes could shed light on the development, approval and proposed implementation of the investment structure.
UEFA’s legal move has therefore brought renewed attention to questions surrounding FIFA’s governance and the way commercial rights to its major competitions are managed.
Plan reportedly scrapped
The proposed investment structure has since been scrapped, but the cancellation has not prevented UEFA from pursuing its legal action.
The proceedings are being pursued in Switzerland, where FIFA is headquartered, and UEFA’s application seeks access to evidence that could be used in the case against the organisation and Infantino.
The development could further intensify scrutiny of FIFA’s decision-making processes, particularly concerning the commercial exploitation of the World Cup and other major competitions.
The case also places renewed focus on the relationship between FIFA and UEFA, two of the most influential bodies in international football, as European football authorities seek greater clarity over decisions affecting the global game.
UEFA has not indicated when the Swiss proceedings are expected to be concluded, while the full details of the evidence it is seeking have not been made public.
The legal action comes at a sensitive time for FIFA and Infantino, with the organisation continuing to oversee an expanding portfolio of global competitions and commercial partnerships.
BBC
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