FIFA has accused UEFA of running a misinformation campaign as the European football body seeks access to documents linked to a controversial proposal involving commercial rights to the World Cup and other major competitions.
The dispute has intensified ahead of the next FIFA presidential election, with FIFA claiming that UEFA’s legal actions are partly aimed at influencing the vote.
The controversy began after FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed the creation of a commercial subsidiary known as FIFA Forward Enterprise FFE...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The proposed structure would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes connected to the commercial opportunities surrounding major FIFA competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup.
The plan generated strong opposition and was subsequently abandoned after the backlash.
UEFA has since sought documents relating to the proposal through legal proceedings in the United States.
In its response to the legal action, FIFA accused UEFA of making false or misleading claims about the organisation and Infantino.
FIFA particularly rejected suggestions that Infantino intended to personally profit from the proposed enterprise.
The world football governing body also argued that UEFA’s attempt to obtain the documents was being used as part of a wider campaign against FIFA’s leadership.
FIFA has asked the US court handling the matter to reject UEFA’s request for the documents.
UEFA has strongly opposed the proposed involvement of private investors in FIFA competitions.
The European body previously argued that the World Cup and other major FIFA tournaments should not be treated as investment products and questioned how the proposal was developed.
UEFA has also raised concerns about the level of consultation surrounding the abandoned plan.
The organisation has not publicly accepted FIFA’s characterisation of its legal action as a misinformation campaign.
The dispute comes months before the next FIFA presidential election, scheduled for March 2027.
Infantino is seeking another term as FIFA president, while UEFA has withdrawn its support for him and has opposed aspects of his leadership.
FIFA argues that UEFA’s legal moves could influence the election by generating negative publicity around Infantino and the organisation.
UEFA, meanwhile, has been seeking access to documents that it considers relevant to its concerns about the abandoned commercial proposal.
The disagreement is now unfolding through legal proceedings in the United States, with both sides maintaining sharply different positions over the World Cup investment plan.
FIFA insists that the proposal was intended to create additional commercial opportunities and generate more resources for football.
UEFA has questioned the process and the proposed transfer of interests in FIFA competitions to private investors.
With the FIFA presidential election approaching, the legal dispute could remain a major issue in international football politics in the months ahead.
