World football's governing body, Fifa, has accused its European counterpart, Uefa, of launching a misinformation campaign over shelved plans to sell stakes in the World Cup. The accusation was made in a filing in the Southern District of Florida, opposing Uefa's motion for discovery. Fifa described Uefa's filing as containing "numerous false or misleading statements" about Fifa and its president, Gianni Infantino.
Uefa had filed legal papers in the US requesting disclosure of evidence and documents from Fifa, warning it could lodge a criminal complaint in Switzerland. Uefa accused Infantino of "criminal mismanagement" and "a fraudulently off-market price promoted by [him] for his own benefit" over the now-shelved Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme. However, Fifa denied these allegations, stating that Uefa's suggestions that Infantino sought to profit personally from the FFE proposal were "categorically without merit".
Fifa also described Uefa's conduct as "in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment". The governing body made clear it was refusing to release evidence relating to the FFE plan, requesting that the court deny Uefa's application for discovery. This development is part of a larger dispute between Fifa and Uefa, with Uefa leading a rebellion against Infantino, who is facing calls to stand down from three confederations.
The FFE plan proposed selling stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors, sparking a major backlash. Infantino faced calls for his resignation but claimed the project was intended to generate additional revenue for the game. Earlier this month, Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, a Fifa vice-president, told Infantino to release all documents relating to his controversial plan and called for an independent review of FFE.
Infantino will stand for election for a fourth time in March 2027, with his opponents having until 18 November to find an alternative candidate. Uefa's actions are seen as part of a broader challenge to Infantino's leadership of Fifa. Insiders believe that if Fifa has nothing to hide, it should disclose the documents and speed up the legal process.
The dispute between Fifa and Uefa comes amid ongoing debates about the governance and reform of Fifa. Infantino has faced criticism for his handling of various issues, including the FFE plan, and there have been calls for greater transparency and accountability within the organization. Fifa's response to Uefa's allegations suggests that the governing body is prepared to defend itself against criticism.
The case is set to continue in the courts, with Fifa opposing Uefa's motion for discovery. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the governance of world football and the relationship between Fifa and its confederations. Key issues at stake include the transparency and accountability of Fifa's decision-making processes and the role of its president.
Key points
- Fifa has accused Uefa of a misinformation campaign over shelved plans to sell stakes in the World Cup.
- Uefa had filed legal papers in the US requesting disclosure of evidence and documents from Fifa.
- The dispute between Fifa and Uefa is part of a broader challenge to Infantino's leadership of Fifa.
