The language is extraordinary, even by football's standards. Words such as "criminal mismanagement", "fraudulent" and "co-conspirators" are not phrases you expect to find in legal documents filed over a governance dispute within the world game's governing bodies. Yet here we are — Uefa's lawyers have lobbed perhaps the heaviest grenade yet in a conflict with Fifa president Gianni Infantino that is showing no signs of cooling.

The row centres on the now-collapsed Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, a proposal to sell stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors. Uefa contends the scheme awarded the World Cup an absurdly low valuation, was conducted under what its lawyers describe as "a veil of secrecy", and was never subjected to an open auction or independent assessment. The filings, lodged in US courts, request access to documents and evidence for use in potential litigation in Switzerland against Infantino himself.

What exactly is Uefa alleging?

The court papers are blunt. Uefa's legal team accuses Infantino of acting for his own benefit, inflicting "direct and concrete injury" on Fifa and its 211 member associations, and references — pointedly — "the enduring history of corruption among Fifa officials". The documents seek subpoenas against three parties: Fifa itself, venture capital firm Thrive Capital (the earmarked lead investor in the scheme), and former Formula 1 chief Greg Maffei, described as the key commercial adviser on the deal.

Thrive Capital's founder Josh Kushner — brother-in-law to US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner — has yet to respond publicly. Some legal observers believe Kushner could mount a credible challenge to any subpoena on the grounds of commercial confidentiality, particularly given his recent record £9.3 billion agreement to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers. How long any such legal wrangling takes remains uncertain.

Infantino's position — stronger than it looks?

There is an irony at the heart of this saga. Even as Uefa escalates its legal offensive, Infantino has had a relatively stable period politically. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation offered him qualified backing this week, stating it supports his continued efforts to "restore unity". Uefa also dropped a threatened boycott of Fifa competitions after receiving assurances that no repeat of the investment scheme was on the cards — a development Infantino's camp quietly claimed as a win.

Infantino, for his part, has not responded to the latest legal filings. Fifa officials say attention is fixed on delivering the Under-20 Women's World Cup, beginning next week in Poland. Meanwhile, the president has been photographed on what amounts to an extended world tour — stops in the Dominican Republic, Paris and Vietnam visible on his social media — apparently focused on shoring up support among member associations far from Europe's corridors of power.

What comes next?

The noises out of Nyon suggest Uefa is not finished. Having first warned of potential legal action nearly a month ago — instructing Fifa to preserve relevant materials at that point — the formal filing of US court documents represents a genuine escalation rather than posturing. Former players, politicians and fan groups have all lined up to criticise Infantino in recent weeks, and there has even been the leaking of personal allegations that Infantino branded "categorically untrue".

The shape of what follows depends heavily on whether US courts grant Uefa's disclosure requests. If they do, the evidence surfaced could prove significant in any Swiss proceedings. If Kushner or others successfully block subpoenas, the process stalls and Infantino buys time. Either way, the market for a swift resolution looks thin. Football's civil war has entered its legal phase, and neither side appears ready to blink.

FAQs

Frequently asked

What was the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan that started this row?
It was a proposal by Fifa to sell stakes in its competitions — including the World Cup — to private investors, with venture capital firm Thrive Capital lined up as the lead backer. Uefa argued the World Cup was valued far too cheaply, the process lacked transparency, and no independent valuation was sought. The plan was shelved days after it became public.
Can Uefa actually take Gianni Infantino to court?
Uefa is currently seeking evidence through US courts for use in potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland against Infantino. The legal filings are a preparatory step rather than a full criminal case, but they represent a significant escalation. Whether US courts grant the disclosure requests will shape what happens next.
What happens if Infantino is found guilty of criminal mismanagement?
No formal criminal case has been filed yet — Uefa's current action is focused on gathering evidence. If proceedings in Switzerland were ever launched and succeeded, the consequences could include removal from office, though that process would involve Fifa's own governance structures as well as any court findings.