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FIFA’s plan to sell stakes to investors triggered a huge backlash across with UEFA threatening to boycott the World Cup unless the plan was scrapped.
FIFA says UEFA does not have the right to demand its internal documents. (AFP Photo)
FIFA and UEFA have escalated their dispute over the former’s abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. FIFA, the global governing body for football, has accused UEFAof pursuing a “smear campaign” and a “fishing expedition.”
The dispute follows UEFA’s – European football’s governing body – efforts to obtain documents in the United States relating to the proposed investment plan, which FIFA unveiled in July before abandoning it amid widespread opposition.
UEFA has also been considering legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over alleged “criminal mismanagement.”
Last week, UEFA submitted requests in three US states seeking documents from FIFA and several partners involved in the proposed plan, including Thrive Capital, the investment firm founded by prospective lead investor Joshua Kushner.
UEFA has said that, if it obtains the documents, it intends to file a legal complaint in Switzerland. The organisation said it had been assured that the case would satisfy the requirements for consideration by a Swiss court.
FIFA has now asked US judges for permission to challenge UEFA’s requests.
“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 in filings reviewed by AFP.
The filings argue that UEFA has no right to seek FIFA’s internal documents because no criminal proceedings have been opened in Switzerland or elsewhere.
FIFA also argues that, even if proceedings were underway, UEFA would lack legal standing because it had not suffered financial losses.
The football body further accused UEFA of attempting to bypass the Swiss courts by seeking disclosure through US courts.
FIFA said releasing the requested material, including correspondence involving Infantino and other FIFA officials, personnel and advisers, “would directly threaten FIFA’s interests and reveal sensitive and proprietary information.”
The dispute comes as UEFA continues to oppose Infantino’s leadership. Infantino had been seeking a fourth and final term as FIFA president and had hoped to be re-elected without opposition next March following what FIFA regards as a highly successful World Cup.
UEFA has been among the strongest critics of the investment proposal, calling it a “shady, opaque backroom deal.”
It has also received backing from CONCACAF, which governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is widely regarded as the most likely potential challenger to Infantino. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out of the race.
The three confederations have continued to put pressure on FIFA and jointly issued a strongly worded letter earlier last month.
“Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding — or demanding — power to be held,” they wrote.
UEFA added: “FIFA must once again be governed as an institution serving football –- not operate as an instrument of individual power.”
FIFA has repeatedly rejected those criticisms.
“This application is yet another step in UEFA’s smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership,” one of the FIFA filings said.
With AFP Inputs
Quick Answers
Ask News18Gianni Infantino could face a criminal complaint in Switzerland for alleged criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code. UEFA is preparing to file this legal complaint in Swiss courts if it successfully obtains relevant documents and testimony from entities in the United States. FIFA has dismissed these legal efforts, describing UEFA’s court applications as a “smear campaign” and a “fishing expedition”.
Ask News18About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
September 04, 2026, 12:02 IST
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