A Swiss special prosecutor has begun criminal proceedings against FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Stefan Keller was appointed to investigate dealings between Infantino and Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber.

More specifically, the investigation surrounded an undisclosed meeting between the two in June 2017.

Last week it was concluded in a Swiss court that Lauber had covered up the meetings with Infantino during a time where his office was looking into corruption allegations at FIFA.

And now a statement on Thursday from the Swiss federal council has revealed that special prosecutor Keller found ‘indications of criminal conduct’ between Infantino and Lauber.

The statement added: "This concerns abuse of public office (Article 312 of the Swiss Criminal Code), breach of official secrecy (Article 320 of the Swiss Criminal Code), assisting offenders (Article 305 of the Swiss Criminal Code) and incitement to these acts.

"Additional criminal acts and the commencement of further proceedings remain reserved."

It was confirmed in the same statement that Keller is seeking approval from the relevant Swiss parliamentary committees to open criminal proceedings against Lauber.

The statement concluded: "The presumption of innocence applies to attorney general Michael Lauber, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and chief public prosecutor Rinaldo Arnold."

Lauber and Infantino met twice in 2016, the year Infantino was elected FIFA president.

Lauber offered to resign from his position as the Swiss Attorney General last week.

Infantino and Lauber have denied the allegations and protested their innocence in relation to the matter.

Infantino was asked about the case at last month’s FIFA Council meeting and described the formal complaints against him as ‘absurd’.

"To meet with the head prosecutor or attorney general of Switzerland is perfectly legitimate and it’s perfectly legal," he said.

FIFA has been approached for comment.