UEFA prepares criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA's Infantino over World Cup sell-off

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.

UEFA said Thursday it filed documents in a Manhattan court requesting discovery of potential evidence from the New York investment fund, Thrive Capital Management, founded by Joshua Kushner.

UEFA also filed a request in a southern Florida district for authorization of discovery "in a foreign proceeding" against FIFA itself, which has offices in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables.

Thrive and Kushner were to be the anchor investors intending to pay FIFA $4.2 billion (all figures US) for a 20 per cent stake in a subsidiary that would run the soccer body's commercial events, including the World Cup.

Italy latest nation to pull support for Gianni Infantino's reelection as FIFA president

European soccer body UEFA warns FIFA of legal action over Infantino's failed World Cup sell-off plan

"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 $4.2 billion figure could be a "fraudulently off-market price promoted by Infantino for his own benefit."

Infantino dropped the sell-off plan on Aug. 1 after a furious backlash by global soccer leaders, including UEFA.

UEFA first threatened to take legal action on Aug. 3 when it warned FIFA against destroying or hiding any "relevant materials" related to the plan.

"Infantino claimed that the plan would 'unleash the commercial potential and opportunity