FIFA has accused European football’s governing body, UEFA, of attempting to influence the upcoming presidential election by seeking documents related to Gianni Infantino’s commercial plan. This accusation was made in a court filing in Florida, in response to UEFA’s bid to obtain the documents. FIFA also alleged that UEFA has been running a misinformation campaign against the organisation and its president.
The controversy surrounding Infantino’s commercial plan was sparked in July when he proposed creating a commercial subsidiary under the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative. The proposed company would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes in a business responsible for managing some of FIFA’s biggest competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup. However, the proposal was quickly shelved due to strong opposition.
FIFA has rejected allegations that Infantino sought to personally profit from the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. The governing body maintained that the plan was intended to generate additional funds that could be invested in football. One of the claims made against Infantino was that he had sought to personally benefit from the proposal, which FIFA has denied.
The dispute between UEFA and FIFA has further widened tensions between the two organisations, with UEFA leading opposition to Infantino and openly calling for his removal. Despite this, FIFA confirmed that Infantino will contest the presidential election in March 2027. Infantino has also sought to strengthen his position among FIFA’s 211 member associations by indicating that more funding could be distributed from the organisation’s reserves.
In a letter to FIFA members, Infantino stated that he would support the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered. He also maintained that the abandoned commercial proposal was designed to generate more resources for the game. Infantino continues to have support from several football bodies and countries, including Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup.
The Confederation of African Football and South American Football Confederation have also expressed support for Infantino. The latest court dispute adds another layer to the growing contest surrounding Infantino’s leadership ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election. UEFA has yet to respond publicly to FIFA’s allegations, although AFP reported that it had contacted the European governing body for a reaction.
The ongoing dispute highlights the tensions between UEFA and FIFA, with Infantino’s leadership being a point of contention. The FIFA presidential election is set to take place in March 2027, and it remains to be seen how the allegations and counter-allegations will affect Infantino’s re-election bid.
Key points
- FIFA accused UEFA of trying to influence the presidential election through a legal bid to obtain documents relating to Gianni Infantino’s commercial plan.
- Infantino has received support from several football bodies and countries, including Saudi Arabia, the Confederation of African Football, and South American Football Confederation.
- The dispute has further widened tensions between UEFA and FIFA, with UEFA leading opposition to Infantino and openly calling for his removal.
