FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a misinformation campaign and attempting to influence the organisation’s presidential election through a legal dispute over an abandoned commercial investment plan.
The allegation emerged in FIFA’s response to a request by UEFA before a US federal court for access to documents and testimony linked to the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The plan, which was shelved in July, would have transferred commercial rights connected to major competitions, including the World Cup, into a new subsidiary that could involve private investors.
UEFA has alleged that FIFA President Gianni Infantino developed the proposal without adequate consultation and questioned its valuation and governance. It is seeking evidence that could support a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland.
FIFA has rejected the allegations, saying UEFA’s court filing contains false or misleading claims and insisting that the FFE proposal would have been subject to approval and oversight by FIFA’s governing bodies. FIFA also denied that Infantino sought personal financial benefit from the proposal.
The dispute comes ahead of FIFA’s presidential election scheduled for March 2027, with Infantino seeking another term. UEFA has emerged as one of his strongest critics, while several other football bodies have publicly supported his continuation.
Leave a comment