Federation Internationale de Football Association, FIFA has accused UEFA of running a “misinformation campaign” and attempting to influence its presidential election through legal action over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise, FFE, investment plan.
The world football governing body made the allegation in court documents filed in the United States in response to UEFA’s request for access to documents linked to the FFE scheme.
FIFA also accused UEFA of acting “in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment” and urged a U.S. court to reject the European body’s discovery request.
UEFA had sought documents from FIFA as part of a legal move that could lead to a criminal complaint in Switzerland over the FFE proposal.
UEFA accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of “criminal mismanagement” and alleged that the proposed scheme involved an undervalued transaction designed to benefit him personally.
FIFA rejected the allegations, describing several claims in UEFA’s filing as false or misleading.
“With no basis whatsoever, UEFA suggests that Mr Infantino sought to profit personally from the FFE proposal,” FIFA said in its filing in the Southern District of Florida.
“UEFA’s suggestions that Mr Infantino violated any law or ethical principle are categorically without merit.”
FIFA also described UEFA’s discovery request as excessively broad and argued that similar applications had been rejected by U.S. courts
The dispute centres on the now-abandoned FFE proposal, which sought to create a structure for private investment in FIFA’s commercial rights, including stakes linked to the World Cup and other competitions. FIFA withdrew the proposal in July following strong opposition from several football confederations.
Also Read: European leagues push FIFA reform beyond Infantino
UEFA has led opposition to the plan and has sought documents from FIFA and other parties involved in the proposal.
The European governing body has also raised concerns about Infantino’s leadership as he prepares to seek a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027. (The Guardian)
Earlier this month, Football Association Chair Debbie Hewitt, who is also a FIFA vice-president, called on Infantino to release documents relating to the FFE proposal and backed an independent review of the scheme.
Infantino has defended the proposal as an attempt to generate additional revenue for football.
FIFA’s latest filing argued that UEFA’s legal action was aimed at influencing the upcoming presidential election.
The case is one of several legal proceedings stemming from UEFA’s effort to obtain evidence related to the FFE proposal. A separate case in the Southern District of Florida was filed by UEFA on August 27 under a U.S. law that allows parties to seek evidence for use in foreign proceedings.
The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2027, with potential challengers required to emerge before the November 18 deadline.
bbc.com
