FIFA calls UEFA complaint a smear campaign
World football’s governing body contests in US courts an investigation into a failed plan for private financing.
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FIFA has accused UEFA in a US court of a smear campaign against the organisation and its president, Gianni Infantino. UEFA is seeking information through legal proceedings about a withdrawn plan to involve private parties in commercial rights connected to the World Cup.
The accusation appears in a FIFA court filing in Colorado. The organisation is asking the judge to postpone or reject a request from UEFA to gather evidence. UEFA had requested documents in several US proceedings relating to the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.
The plan was intended to give private investors a stake in commercial rights connected to the World Cup and other competitions. According to the Associated Press, FIFA withdrew the proposal on 1 August, several days after it became public. Reports put its value at $4.2 billion, but the arrangement was never implemented.
UEFA says in court documents that the investigation is necessary because of possible financial misconduct surrounding the plan. FIFA disputes the European body’s authority to support a foreign criminal case and describes the legal steps primarily as publicity attacks.
The dispute is therefore not only about a single investment proposal. European, Asian and North and Central American football organisations have previously criticised the way FIFA prepared the plan. According to AP, they feared a breach of trust and insufficient consultation with affiliated associations.
Gianni Infantino has meanwhile indicated that he is open to an independent assessment of FIFA’s governance structure. According to AP, he wants the FIFA Council and the 211 affiliated associations to consider possible reforms. That proposal is not yet an independent evaluation and says nothing about the legal merits of UEFA’s request.
For now, neither side has been legally vindicated. The US proceedings mainly determine which documents may be requested. The broader power struggle over money, commercial control and FIFA’s governing style therefore continues in the run-up to the next presidential election.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- FIFA and UEFA are litigating over documents relating to a withdrawn commercial investment plan.
- FIFA has accused UEFA of a smear campaign.
- The judge has not yet assessed the underlying allegations.
Left
Arguments The commercial rights to world football should not end up in the hands of a small circle of executives and investors without transparent oversight.
Values Democratic accountability, public scrutiny and protection of sporting communities.
Consequences Greater transparency and independent oversight may reduce commercial speed, but increase legitimacy.
Centre
Arguments FIFA needs professional financing, but such far-reaching plans should proceed through clear procedures, consultation and independent scrutiny.
Values Good governance, continuity and institutional balance.
Consequences Reforms may take time, but reduce the risk of new conflicts between associations and confederations.
Right
Arguments A world governing body should be able to seize commercial opportunities without regional associations blocking every initiative, provided contracts and rules are observed.
Values Administrative efficiency, property rights and competitiveness.
Consequences Faster commercial decision-making may generate more income, but requires clear limits on the power of executives.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The text distinguishes procedural facts from the allegations made by both football organisations. It does not anticipate the outcome of the US proceedings.
- confirmed FIFA called UEFA’s legal steps a smear campaign in a court filing. — AP and The Guardian describe the wording and the proceedings. source
- confirmed FIFA withdrew the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan on 1 August. — AP reports the withdrawal and the circumstances behind it. source
- confirmed Infantino proposed an independent assessment of FIFA’s governance. — AP describes his letter to the FIFA Council and affiliated associations. source
Editor's note
The legal positions are attributed to FIFA and UEFA. The failed investment plan and Infantino’s reform proposal have been confirmed, but the US proceedings have not yet been decided on their merits.Sources
- FIFA accuses European body UEFA of ‘smear campaign’ — Associated Press
- Fifa calls Uefa’s legal threat a ‘smear campaign’ — The Guardian
- Infantino open to an independent FIFA governance review — Associated Press
- Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 national associations — UEFA
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „fifa uefa”
- NOS — „fifa uefa”
- Het Parool — „fifa uefa”