FIFA rejects UEFA evidence request in dispute over Infantino investment plan

FIFA has asked a US court to reject UEFA's request for evidence about the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise project, accusing the European governing body of trying to influence its presidential election. BBC Sport reported that FIFA submitted its response on Monday night.

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UEFA filed legal papers in the United States last month seeking documents and other evidence, warning that it could bring a criminal complaint in Switzerland. Its allegations concern Gianni Infantino's handling of the proposed investment scheme, including whether its pricing would have benefited the FIFA president personally.

FIFA denies wrongdoing. In its filing in the Southern District of Florida, it rejected the suggestion that Infantino sought personal profit and disputed UEFA's claims of legal or ethical breaches. It also argued that the disclosure request was excessively broad. FIFA characterised UEFA's account as misleading, while UEFA's accusations remain allegations denied by the world governing body. BBC Sport said it had contacted UEFA for comment.

The dispute follows the withdrawal of a plan to sell private investors stakes in the World Cup and other competitions. In a separate report, BBC Sport said Infantino again defended the project's purpose in a letter on Monday, maintaining that it was designed to increase investment in football.

That letter, sent to FIFA's six continental confederations and seen by the BBC, also indicated support for additional distributions from the organisation's estimated £4.4 billion reserves. UEFA and Concacaf have requested payments of $10 million to each of FIFA's 211 member associations. Infantino did not commit to a specific amount.

The FIFA Council is due to consider the funding proposal on 15 October. Separately, Football Association chair and FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt has called for the release of documents concerning the abandoned commercial scheme and an independent review of it.

The governance dispute is unfolding ahead of Infantino's next election campaign. He is set to seek election for a fourth time in March 2027, while opponents have until 18 November to put forward an alternative candidate, according to BBC Sport.