Swiss police have raided Uefa's headquarters in Nyon, seizing details of a TV rights contract signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, following the Panama Papers leak. The investigation is motivated by suspicions of criminal mismanagement relating to the sale of TV rights, with no specific individual targeted at this stage.
The contract in question dates back to 2006, when Infantino, then Uefa's director of legal services, co-signed a deal to sell Champions League broadcasting rights for Ecuador. The rights were acquired by Cross Trading, an Argentinian company registered in Niue, for $111,000 and immediately sold to broadcaster Teleamazonas for $311,170. Two businessmen involved, Hugo Jinkis and his son Mariano, are under house arrest in Argentina as part of the US investigation into FIFA corruption.
Uefa initially denied doing business with any of the 14 indicted individuals, but later admitted this response was incomplete after a full contract review. The organisation insists the deal was conducted through an open tender process and that neither Uefa nor its marketing partner Team had reason to suspect impropriety.
Infantino, elected FIFA president in February, expressed dismay at doubts over his integrity but welcomed the investigation. He stated, “Should I be required to contribute to bringing further clarification on the matter, I will of course gladly do so.” Uefa confirmed it is cooperating fully with the Swiss authorities.
