FIFA Accuses UEFA of Smear Campaign as Infantino Dispute Escalates

FIFA has accused UEFA of waging a smear campaign against the world governing body and its president, Gianni Infantino, as their dispute over a scrapped commercial venture moved deeper into the courts. BBC Sport reported that FIFA made the allegation in a US filing responding to UEFA's attempt to obtain evidence and documents for potential criminal claims in Switzerland.

Watch the highlights:

UEFA filed papers in the United States last week concerning the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. In those papers, according to the BBC, UEFA alleged criminal mismanagement and questioned whether the proposed transaction had been promoted at an off-market price for Infantino's benefit. Those claims have not been adjudicated, and UEFA's filing seeks disclosure rather than announcing a criminal finding.

FIFA's response asks the US court to oppose UEFA's application by the end of September. FIFA said the enterprise had only been a proposal and could not have proceeded without majority support from its member associations and the necessary approval from the FIFA Council. It argued that UEFA chose a public campaign instead of taking part in that decision-making process.

The abandoned plan involved talks with venture capitalist Joshua Kushner and his company, Thrive Eternal, about a $4.2 billion investment for a 20 percent stake in a new FIFA commercial subsidiary. The idea was dropped shortly after it became public in July. FIFA had said the arrangement could increase distributions to each national association during the 2027-2030 cycle from £5.9 million to £14.7 million.

UEFA has asked a New York court to authorize testimony and document disclosure from Kushner, whose brother is married to US President Donald Trump's daughter, and American financier Greg Maffei, an adviser on the proposal. UEFA says neither man is expected to be a defendant in possible proceedings. Its lawyers allege that the World Cup was valued at about £15 billion without an open auction or an independent valuation, and that FIFA's hierarchy was not properly consulted.

FIFA also alleged that UEFA had an economic incentive to stop smaller national associations gaining greater financial strength. It said additional funding could help developing football nations improve domestic programs and retain more players for their national teams and home leagues. UEFA has been approached for comment, the BBC reported, while opposition to Infantino now includes calls from three confederations for him to stand down.