The Manhattan Filing
The legal offensive landed on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in a Manhattan courtroom. UEFA submitted documents seeking discovery from Thrive Capital Management, the New York investment fund founded by Joshua Kushner, according to ESPN.
The filing spells out the European body’s intent: proceedings in Switzerland against Infantino and “possibly other FIFA officials and advisers.” The substance cuts deep.
UEFA alleges Infantino may have “fraudulently” offered a stake in FIFA Forward Enterprise, the entity created to commercialise World Cup rights, without due process or consultation with FIFA’s own hierarchy.
The complaint would be brought under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code, which covers financial mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duties.
What FIFA Forward Enterprise Was
The shelved plan was designed to monetise FIFA’s commercial rights through private capital. The $20 billion World Cup stake sale would have handed outside investors exposure to broadcasting, sponsorship and matchday revenue streams tied to the tournament cycle.
The Thrive Capital connection places a heavyweight New York investor at the heart of a deal that European administrators now view as a breach of trust.
ESPN reports that FIFA’s main headquarters is in Nyon, Switzerland, meaning any criminal complaint would land in the country where the governing body is registered. That geography matters. Swiss prosecutors have already shown willingness to pursue football executives, and Article 158 carries teeth for officials accused of mismanaging funds.
Why UEFA Is Pushing Now
This is not a sudden outburst. European federations have grown uneasy as Infantino centralised power across the global game, from expanded World Cup formats to a ballooning FIFA budget. The Forward Enterprise pitch, with its eye-watering $20 billion valuation, sharpened those concerns. UEFA’s argument is procedural: major commercial decisions at FIFA require consultation, and the Infantino camp allegedly cut corners.
The body representing Europe’s 55 national associations is now signalling that procedural grievances are no longer enough. A criminal filing under Swiss law is a different category entirely. It transforms an internal governance fight into a potential prosecution. Worth noting: UEFA’s move does not automatically trigger charges. Swiss prosecutors would have to assess whether the Article 158 threshold is met, and any case would likely take years to resolve. But the symbolic damage is immediate. Infantino, already a polarising figure among European clubs and federations, now faces the threat of formal investigation in his own backyard. For more detail, see BBC Sport.
The American Connection
The Thrive Capital discovery request signals a second front. By filing in Manhattan, UEFA is pursuing documents from the fund that would have been a key counterparty in the deal. Joshua Kushner’s firm, known for early bets on Spotify and Stripe, sits at the intersection of private capital and sports investment.
What Comes Next
The immediate task is procedural. UEFA must finalise its complaint and submit it to Swiss authorities, while the Manhattan court weighs the scope of discovery from Thrive Capital. Infantino has not been formally charged, and FIFA has not publicly responded to the specific allegations outlined in the filing.
Expect FIFA to push back hard. The organisation has previously dismissed criticism of its commercial strategy as politically motivated. European federations, however, are unlikely to soften.
With UEFA’s patience exhausted, the future of FIFA Forward Enterprise looks more uncertain by the day, and Infantino’s tenure has entered its most volatile phase yet.
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- UEFA
FAQs
What is UEFA accusing Infantino of?
Why is the case in Manhattan?
UEFA filed in a New York court to obtain discovery from Thrive Capital Management, the investment fund founded by Joshua Kushner that was involved in the shelved deal.
Has Infantino been charged?
No. The complaint is a preparatory step. Swiss prosecutors would need to assess the filing before any formal charges are pursued.
What is FIFA Forward Enterprise?
It is the entity created to commercialise FIFA’s World Cup rights through private capital, the vehicle at the centre of the $20 billion sell-off plan now under scrutiny.
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