UEFA requests FIFA documents in US court as criminal complaint against Infantino looms

European football’s governing body, UEFA, is seeking access to FIFA documents through a US court as it considers filing a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday. The move centers on Infantino’s alleged plans to sell off the World Cup — likely referring to proposals to expand the tournament, sell broadcasting or sponsorship rights in ways that could devalue the competition, or privatize aspects of the event.

UEFA’s application to a US court suggests the organization believes relevant evidence may be held by FIFA or its affiliates in the United States. The exact nature of the documents sought has not been publicly disclosed, but the request is part of a pre-complaint investigation into Infantino’s conduct.

Infantino has faced persistent criticism over his leadership style and governance decisions since taking office in 2016. He has championed a biennial World Cup proposal — backed by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation — which UEFA has strongly opposed, arguing it would dilute the prestige of the tournament and overburden players. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has previously called the biennial plan a “dangerous” move driven by commercial interests.

The criminal complaint under consideration would mark an unprecedented escalation in the already tense relationship between UEFA and FIFA. It follows years of infighting over tournament expansion, revenue distribution, and governance reforms. The US court involvement also ties into ongoing investigations by the US Department of Justice into FIFA — a legacy of the 2015 corruption scandal that led to multiple indictments.

FIFA has not yet commented on the report. Infantino has denied any wrongdoing in the past and has framed his reforms as necessary for the growth of global football. A spokesperson for UEFA declined to elaborate beyond the report.

This is a developing story. Further details on the court filing and potential charges are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.

Why This Matters

If UEFA successfully accesses the documents, it could pave the way for a criminal case against Infantino, potentially threatening his hold on the FIFA presidency.
The dispute reflects a deepening rift between European football stakeholders and FIFA’s leadership, with implications for the future of the World Cup format and global football governance.
A US court’s involvement could revive international scrutiny of FIFA’s financial dealings, similar to the 2015 corruption crackdown.

Background

Relations between UEFA and FIFA have frayed since Infantino took office. UEFA led the opposition to the biennial World Cup plan, which it sees as a cash grab that undermines domestic leagues and existing tournaments. Infantino has pushed for expanding FIFA’s revenue streams, including a revamped Club World Cup and a 48-team World Cup from 2026. The 2015 FIFA corruption scandal, which led to dozens of indictments by US prosecutors, set a precedent for using US courts to examine FIFA’s inner workings. UEFA’s current legal maneuver suggests it is following a similar playbook.

Key Perspectives

[UEFA]: Seeks accountability and transparency from FIFA, arguing that Infantino’s World Cup selloff plans jeopardize the sport’s integrity and long-term health. The court request is part of a broader effort to check what it sees as unchecked executive power. [FIFA / Infantino]: Have not yet responded to the report. Infantino has previously dismissed critics as self-interested and has positioned himself as a reformer growing football globally, especially in non-European markets. He may argue that the complaint is a political attack from a rival organization. [Critics and legal observers]: View the US court move as a high-risk strategy that could either expose misconduct or backfire if the court denies the request. They note that any criminal case would require strong evidence and that Infantino has so far survived other governance challenges.

What to Watch

US court ruling on UEFA’s document request and whether FIFA complies voluntarily.
Any statement from Switzerland (where FIFA is headquartered) regarding potential mutual legal assistance.
UEFA’s next steps: if the criminal complaint is formally filed, public charges could be announced within months.

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