FIFA has accused UEFA of waging a “smear campaign” and conducting a “fishing expedition” after European football’s governing body asked United States courts to compel FIFA to release documents linked to its abandoned World Cup investment plan.
The dispute follows FIFA’s controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to investors, a plan unveiled in July that triggered strong opposition across European football.
FIFA’s proposal to bring outside investors into the World Cup generated significant backlash, with UEFA threatening to boycott the tournament if the plan was not withdrawn.
The international association of football subsequently abandoned the proposal following the widespread criticism. However, the dispute has continued, with UEFA now considering possible legal action in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over alleged “criminal mismanagement.”
UEFA has not publicly established the allegations as proven, and the potential legal action remains under consideration.
As part of its efforts, UEFA last week filed requests in courts across three US states seeking access to documents relating to the investment plan.
The requests involve FIFA and several of its partners, including Thrive Capital, the firm of prospective lead investor Joshua Kushner.
UEFA has said that if it obtains the requested documents, it intends to pursue a legal complaint in Switzerland.
The European governing body has indicated that it has been assured that such a case would meet the requirements for consideration by a Swiss court.
The international association of football has responded by asking US judges for permission to challenge UEFA’s requests for disclosure. In its court filings, FIFA described the applications as legal documents presented as part of what it called a campaign against the organization and its leadership.
FIFA argues that UEFA has no legal basis to demand its internal documents because no criminal proceedings have been initiated in Switzerland or elsewhere.
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The world governing body also argues that even if proceedings existed, UEFA would lack standing because it had not suffered financial losses.
FIFA further accused UEFA of attempting to bypass Swiss courts by seeking access to documents through US courts.
The international association of football filings also raise concerns about the potential disclosure of correspondence involving Infantino, FIFA officials, advisers and other individuals connected to the investment proposal.
According to the international association of football, releasing the documents could expose sensitive and proprietary information and threaten the organization’s interests. The governing body therefore wants the US courts to reject or restrict UEFA’s demands for disclosure.
The dispute forms part of a broader conflict between UEFA and Infantino. UEFA has openly criticized the FIFA president and has expressed a desire for changes in FIFA’s leadership. Infantino had been seeking a fourth and final term and had hoped to secure re-election without opposition next March following what the international association of football considers a successful World Cup period.
UEFA described the abandoned World Cup investment proposal as a questionable and opaque arrangement.
Its opposition has also received support from the Asian Football Confederation, AFC, and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, CONCACAF.
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has emerged as a possible challenger to Infantino, while UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has ruled himself out of the race.
UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF have continued to coordinate their criticism of FIFA’s leadership. In a joint letter issued on August 10, the three confederations argued that football leadership should serve the sport rather than concentrate power in the hands of individuals.
UEFA separately called for FIFA to operate as an institution serving football rather than as a vehicle for individual political influence.
The international association football has repeatedly rejected the accusations and maintained that UEFA’s latest legal filings represent another attempt to attack the organization and its leadership.
The dispute could now move into a new phase as US courts consider UEFA’s requests for access to FIFA-related documents.
Al Jazeera
