FIFA Accuses UEFA of Smear Campaign Over Infantino and World Cup Investment Plan

FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a "smear campaign" against the organisation and its president, Gianni Infantino, after European football's governing body sought court orders in the United States to obtain documents relating to FIFA's abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.

The proposed investment scheme, unveiled by FIFA in July, sparked widespread opposition across international football. UEFA strongly criticised the plan and threatened to boycott the World Cup if it went ahead.

FIFA subsequently abandoned the proposal following the backlash. However, UEFA has continued its efforts to investigate the plan and is considering possible legal action against Infantino over allegations of "criminal mismanagement".

UEFA last week filed applications in courts across three US states seeking access to documents held by FIFA and organisations involved in the proposed investment arrangement. Among those targeted was Thrive Capital, the investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner, which had been identified as a potential lead investor.

UEFA has indicated that if it obtains the requested material, it could use the evidence to pursue a legal complaint in Switzerland. The organisation says it has been advised that such a case could meet the requirements for consideration by Swiss authorities.

FIFA has now asked US judges for permission to challenge UEFA's requests.

In its court filings, FIFA accused UEFA of disguising what it described as a public relations attack as a legal proceeding.

"While these applications are styled as legal pleadings with captions and docket numbers, they are little more than press releases in further support of UEFA's smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership," FIFA said.

FIFA argues that UEFA has no legal basis to demand its internal records because no criminal proceedings have been launched in Switzerland or elsewhere.

The organisation also claims that even if legal proceedings were already under way, UEFA would lack standing because it has not suffered any financial loss as a result of the proposed World Cup investment plan.

FIFA further accused UEFA of attempting to circumvent the Swiss legal system by seeking documents directly through US courts.

The governing body warned that releasing correspondence involving Infantino, FIFA officials, advisers and other personnel could expose commercially sensitive and confidential information.

The dispute is part of a growing political struggle over Infantino's leadership of world football.

UEFA has been among his most vocal critics and described the proposed World Cup investment arrangement as a "shady, opaque backroom deal". The European body has also made clear its desire to see Infantino removed from FIFA's leadership.

Infantino had been expected to seek a fourth and final term as FIFA president next March, potentially without opposition, following what FIFA has portrayed as a highly successful World Cup.

However, opposition has intensified, with UEFA receiving support from the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF.

CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is widely regarded as a potential challenger to Infantino, while UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out of the race.

The three confederations have continued to coordinate their opposition, issuing a strongly worded joint letter on August 10.

"Leadership in football is not a possession," they said, arguing that FIFA should serve the interests of football rather than concentrate power in the hands of individuals.

UEFA separately declared that FIFA should once again function as an institution serving football rather than as an organisation used to advance "individual power".

FIFA has rejected those accusations and maintains that UEFA's latest court action represents another stage of what it calls a campaign against the organisation and its leadership.

The escalating dispute could now develop into a wider legal and political battle ahead of next year's FIFA presidential election.