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UEFA Prepares Criminal Complaint Against Gianni Infantino. This Is The Reason

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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court documents filed Thursday in the U.S. seeking access to possible evidence related to the sell-off plan, which was withdrawn after a furious backlash by UEFA and other global football leaders.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 authorization of discovery “in a foreign proceeding” against FIFA itself, which has offices in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables.

Under the plan revealed in late July, Thrive and Kushner were to be the anchor investors intending to pay FIFA $4.2 billion for a 20% stake in a subsidiary that would run the football body’s commercial events, including the World Cup.

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“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.”

FIFA is expected to have about $5 billion in cash reserves after the World Cup in North America boosted its revenue to a record $15 billion over the 2023-26 commercial cycle.

Infantino dropped the sell-off plan on Aug. 1 after intense criticism led by football officials in Europe.

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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. Thursday’s legal move was revealed to its member federations in Monaco just two hours before the Champions League draw began.

“Infantino claimed that the plan would ‘unleash the commercial potential and opportunity that FIFA has,’” UEFA lawyers told the courts. “In truth, it was a vehicle for Infantino and that small circle to acquire a permanent stake in and otherwise profit from FIFA’s most valuable assets to the detriment of FIFA, its members, and other parties within the football family.

“Under the terms Infantino announced, those investors stood to acquire a permanent financial interest in FIFA’s commercial arm for $4.2 billion, implying an absurdly low enterprise value of only approximately $20 billion, a figure that was neither the product of an open, competitive auction, nor tested by any independent valuer.”

Thrive declined to comment. FIFA was approached for comment.

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It was unclear if UEFA would send a potential criminal complaint to the Swiss federal prosecution office in Bern or to local prosecutors in FIFA’s home city Zurich.

The Swiss attorney general’s office has a poor record in recent years prosecuting cases of alleged corruption linked to FIFA and football officials.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, former UEFA president Michel Platini and the influential Qatari president of Champions League title holder Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser al-Khelaïfi, all were acquitted twice at trials in Switzerland.

The crisis has raised questions about Infantino’s future. Just months ago, he was widely expected to win another four-year term in the FIFA election set for March 2027, but a growing number of football federations around the world but mainly in Europe have withdrawn their support, with some joining UEFA in calling on him to step down.

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 26 2026

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Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 26 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and
Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs.
Wests Tigers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday August 29, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Preview

North Queensland returns from a bye knowing a victory could secure its finals place, depending on Canterbury’s result against Penrith. The Cowboys last played in Round 24, when they were edged 32-30 by Parramatta, and the extra preparation should help after that demanding contest. Wests Tigers arrives with renewed belief following a 25-24 upset of the Roosters. Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai return for North Queensland, although Murray Taulagi is sidelined by concussion. The Tigers lose Alex Twal to concussion, with Sunia Turuva and Ethan Roberts included on the interchange. Wests dominated the Round 2 meeting 44-16 and carries genuine attacking threats, but the Cowboys’ rest advantage, home conditions and stronger finals motivation should allow their returning playmakers to dictate the decisive periods.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Teams

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. John Bateman 17. Coen Hess 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Ethan King 20. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Mason Kira 22. Liam Sutton

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomane Saukuru 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Ethan Roberts 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tristan Hope 19. Sunia Turuva 20. Faaletino Tavana 21. Charlie Murray 22. Vaka Aho

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Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City Prediction and Betting Tips

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Bolton Wanderers take on Lincoln City on matchday three of the Championship on Saturday. The two sides are in opposite halves of the standings after the opening two gameweeks.

Steven Schumacher’s Bolton are coming off a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers last week. The Hoops dominated possession (54%) and had seven shots on target but couldn’t find a way past a determined Wanderers rearguard as a stalemate ensued.

With four points from two games, Schumacher’s side are fifth in the fledgeling standings, having won their campaign opener 2-1 at home to Preston North End two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw’s Lincoln are fresh off a 4-1 victory at 10-man Blackpool in the EFL Cup second round in midweek, with four different men getting on the scoresheet.

Earlier, the Imps lost 3-1 at home to Portsmouth in their most recent Championship outing. Reeco Hackett-Fairchild’s penalty midway through the first period briefly reduced arrears for the hosts after Pompey had taken a two-goal lead inside 16 minutes. However, the visitors had the last laugh, scoring a 69th-minute winner.

Back-to-back defeats left Lincoln 20th in the points table, behind rock-bottom Southampton (-1) on goal difference.

On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction and betting tips for the Bolton-Lincoln Championship showdown at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, Horwich:

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Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City head-to-head stats and key numbers

  • In 32 meetings across competitions, Bolton lead Lincoln 17-8, with their last clash ending goalless at Lincoln in League One in February.
  • Bolton are winless in three games against Lincoln – all in League One – losing one.
  • The Wanderers won their lone home match of the season, beating Preston North End in the Championship this month.
  • Lincoln have won two of their road outings this campaign, with both victories coming in the EFL Cup.
  • Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Bolton: D-W-L-W-W; Lincoln: W-L-L-W-W

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City prediction

The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season, with Bolton going unbeaten in two games in their first Championship campaign in seven years, while Lincoln have lost both matches on their second-tier return after 65 years.

In terms of head-to-head, the Wanderers have an advantage, but Lincoln have dominated recent meetings, all in the third tier. Both teams have scored twice across their first two matches.

However, the Wanderers are the slightly more in-form team and should take a slender win.

Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Lincoln City


Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City betting tips

Tip-1: Bolton to win

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Tip-2: Lincoln to score: No

Tip-3: Under 1.5 goals