European soccer’s governing body UEFA is contemplating lodging a criminal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA related to the global soccer governing body’s failed proposal to spin off its commercial interests. In the first steps of a potential probe, UEFA is seeking subpoenas be issued to the U.S. offices of FIFA, Joshua Kushner, Thrive Capital and former Liberty Media chief executive Greg Maffei.
On Thursday, UEFA filed requests for discovery in two U.S. federal court jurisdictions—the Southern Districts of New York and Florida, respectively—in search of documents and communications related to July’s unsuccessful attempt to sell a 21% chunk of FIFA’s commercial rights for roughly $4 billion in upfront cash.
A third request for discovery is expected to be filed in U.S. District Court in Colorado, according to a person familiar with the matter. A copy of the ex parte application filed in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York, where Kushner and Thrive are based, says the demand for documents is necessary because “UEFA and its counsel are contemplating a Swiss criminal proceeding against [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials for criminal mismanagement.”
