UEFA seeks US subpoenas to build Swiss criminal case against Infantino

Key points

• UEFA filed a 50-page application in a Manhattan federal court seeking subpoenas for Kushner and Thrive Capital to obtain records regarding the 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' plan.
• The goal is to gather evidence for a criminal mismanagement case in Switzerland against Infantino and potentially other FIFA officials.
• UEFA argues the $20 billion valuation was 'absurdly low' and lacked independent verification, suggesting Infantino engineered the deal to profit personally and his associates.
• Kushner’s recent $12.5 billion acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers has intensified UEFA’s suspicion that he received a 'sweetheart deal' from Infantino.
• UEFA ended its boycott of FIFA competitions after receiving written assurances that the privatization plan would not be revived, but continues to pursue legal and political avenues to unseat Infantino.

Background

The dispute stems from Infantino’s July 2026 announcement of a plan to sell stakes in World Cup commercial rights to private investors, a move that was quickly abandoned after widespread opposition from UEFA and other confederations. Prior to this legal escalation, Infantino had sought support from the Trump administration to protect his position, while UEFA had threatened a boycott of FIFA events. The current legal action represents a shift from political pressure to formal criminal proceedings, following earlier warnings of arbitration and regulatory complaints.

How outlets are covering it

Politico emphasizes the direct legal confrontation with Kushner, highlighting his unique role as a financial backer and the potential for a US court to compel testimony for a Swiss criminal case. The Guardian frames the move as a strategic escalation in UEFA’s bid to unseat Infantino, noting that while the boycott ended, the legal threat has increased. It also highlights concerns that UEFA is struggling to rally non-European members, who may require proof of personal enrichment before abandoning Infantino. BBC Sport focuses on the procedural details, noting that UEFA is seeking documents in Florida and New York to support charges in Switzerland, and underscores the claim that Infantino pushed the plan through a 'hastily convened' meeting without proper consultation. All sources agree that the valuation was questionable, but differ on the emphasis: Politico focuses on Kushner’s testimony, The Guardian on the political implications for Infantino’s presidency, and BBC on the legal mechanics of the cross-border evidence gathering.

Why it matters

This case tests the limits of international sports governance and the potential for US courts to influence proceedings in other jurisdictions. If successful, it could set a precedent for holding global sports leaders accountable for financial mismanagement and could accelerate the removal of Infantino, who has held the FIFA presidency since 2016. The outcome will also determine whether private investors can be compelled to testify in foreign criminal cases, with implications for future sports commercialization deals.

What to watch

The Manhattan federal judge will decide whether to grant the subpoenas for Kushner and Thrive Capital. UEFA plans to use any obtained documents to file a criminal complaint in Switzerland. Additionally, UEFA is working to rally FIFA member associations to support its position ahead of the March 2027 presidential election, where Infantino is expected to run for a final term.