FIFA has accused UEFA of running a “misinformation campaign” as the European governing body seeks access to documents relating to a controversial plan involving the commercial rights to the World Cup.
The accusation was made in FIFA’s response to a legal request filed in the United States, where UEFA is seeking documents connected to the now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.
The dispute centres on a plan unveiled by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in July to create a new commercial subsidiary that would bring together FIFA’s commercial rights and the operation of its major competitions.
The proposal envisaged private investment in the new entity, with FIFA saying at the time that the move was designed to unlock additional commercial value and increase funding for football development across its 211 member associations.
However, the proposal triggered opposition from several football bodies and was withdrawn in July after FIFA acknowledged that it had created divisions within the game.
In its latest court filing, FIFA accused UEFA of making what it described as false or misleading claims about the proposal and Infantino. FIFA also rejected allegations that the FIFA president sought to personally profit from the planned commercial structure.
FIFA further argued that UEFA’s attempt to obtain the documents was connected to the organisation’s opposition to Infantino ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027. Reuters reported that FIFA asked the US court to reject UEFA’s discovery request. UEFA did not immediately comment on the latest development.
The legal dispute comes amid growing disagreement between FIFA and UEFA over the direction of football’s world governing body. UEFA officials and several European football associations have called for greater transparency and governance reforms following the collapse of the FFE proposal.
Infantino, who is seeking another term as FIFA president, has defended the original proposal as an attempt to generate more money for football rather than replace existing development funding.
In a recent letter to FIFA’s member associations, he also indicated that additional funds could be distributed from FIFA’s reserves, saying the organisation would consider the highest level of funding that could be provided responsibly. Reuters reported that UEFA and CONCACAF have separately sought a $2.1bn distribution from FIFA’s reserves to its 211 member associations.
The FFE dispute therefore remains part of a wider disagreement over FIFA’s finances, governance and leadership ahead of next year’s presidential election.
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