MONACO (AP): UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Swiss courts for possible financial mismanagement over his failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. The governing body of European football announced its intentions in court documents filed yesterday in the US seeking access to possible evidence related to the sell-off plan, which was withdrawn after a furious backlash by UEFA and other global leaders. The move increases the pressure on Infantino, who is facing the biggest crisis in his 10 years as FIFA’s leader. UEFA filed documents in a Manhattan court requesting discovery of potential evidence from the New York investment fund, Thrive Capital Management, founded by Josh Kushner – the younger brother of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. UEFA also filed a request in a southern Florida district for authorisation of discovery “in a foreign proceeding” against FIFA itself, which has offices in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables. Criminal proceeding Under the plan revealed in late July, Thrive and Kushner were to be the anchor investors intending to pay FIFA US$4.2 billion for a 20 per cent stake in a subsidiary that would run the football body’s commercial events, including the World Cup. “UEFA and its counsel are contemplating a Swiss criminal proceeding against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials for criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code,” UEFA’s lawyers state in a 56-page document seen by The Associated Press. The document suggests the US$4.2 billion figure could be a “fraudulently off-market price promoted by Infantino for his own benefit.” FIFA is expected to have about US$5 billion in cash reserves after the World Cup in North America boosted its revenue to a record US$15 billion over the 2023-26 commercial cycle. “The question is therefore why the FIFA president believed he needed outside investors to expand development funding,” UEFA said in a statement. Infantino dropped the sell-off plan on August 1 after intense criticism led by soccer officials in Europe. UEFA first threatened to take legal action on August 3 when it warned FIFA against destroying or hiding any “relevant materials” related to the plan. Yesterday’s legal move was revealed to its member federations in Monaco just two hours before the Champions League draw began. Thrive declined to comment. FIFA was approached for comment.