FIFA smear campaign allegations were levelled at UEFA as world football’s governing body moved to block efforts in the United States to obtain documents tied to a shelved World Cup investor proposal.
According to recent court filings, FIFA asked US judges either to defer or to allow it to oppose requests filed by UEFA in three states seeking testimony and records about the abandoned plan. UEFA is gathering material for potential legal action after FIFA’s July proposal to sell stakes in World Cup revenues to outside investors drew fierce pushback across the sport.
FIFA smear campaign accusation at center of dispute
UEFA has warned it could initiate proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Switzerland for alleged criminal mismanagement. To that end, it has sought documents from FIFA and prospective partners, including Thrive Capital, the firm linked to investor Joshua Kushner, according to filings.
FIFA’s submissions describe UEFA’s US applications as a fishing expedition and argue that UEFA has no right to demand internal records because there are no criminal proceedings pending in Switzerland or elsewhere. Even if such a case existed, FIFA says, UEFA would lack standing because it has suffered no financial loss.
The filings also contend that UEFA improperly bypassed Swiss courts by applying directly to US courts for discovery. FIFA argues that disclosing correspondence and other materials involving Infantino, FIFA staff and advisers would jeopardize its interests and expose sensitive, proprietary information.
The investor plan was withdrawn soon after it was unveiled in July following an immediate backlash. UEFA, which labeled the proposal a “shady, opaque backroom deal,” threatened to boycott the World Cup unless it was scrapped.
The Asian Football Confederation and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football backed UEFA’s stance, and the three bodies issued a joint letter on August 10 pressing their case for institutional governance at FIFA.
UEFA has been open about its opposition to Infantino’s leadership. While he had aimed to stand unopposed for a fourth and final term next March after a successful World Cup, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is widely viewed as a likely challenger.
UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out. The dynamics over football leadership echo other recent power struggles, such as when major moves in European club football have highlighted shifting influence across the sport.
FIFA has repeatedly rejected UEFA’s assertions. Its latest filings summarize the matter by stating that the discovery bids amount to another step in what it calls UEFA’s smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership.