FIFA accuses UEFA of 'misinformation campaign' in response to filing

Sept 28 : FIFA accused UEFA of waging a "misinformation campaign" and trying to influence the race for its presidency as world soccer's governing body urged a US court to reject a discovery request linked to a controversial investment proposal.

Last month, UEFA asked a US federal court for permission to obtain testimony and documents for use in a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over a now-abandoned plan to transfer World Cup commercial rights into a subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

In its response to the filing on Monday, FIFA said UEFA's brief contained "numerous false or misleading statements about FIFA and Infantino".

"With no basis whatsoever, UEFA suggests that Mr Infantino sought to profit personally from the FFE proposal," FIFA said in a filing in the Southern District of Florida, opposing UEFA’s motion for discovery. 

"As explained, the FFE plan was subject to approval by both the FIFA member associations and FIFA Council, and FFE would have been subject to oversight by both groups within FIFA. 

"UEFA's suggestions that Mr Infantino violated any law or ethical principle are categorically without merit."

UEFA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

FFE VALUATION

UEFA alleged Infantino developed the proposal in secret with a small group of advisers and investors, bypassing FIFA's normal governance processes and failing to consult FIFA's Council, regional confederations or member associations.

The filing seen by Reuters asked a US court to authorise discovery from FIFA (AMERICAS), Inc and FWC2026 US, Inc, two Florida-based FIFA entities. 

UEFA said in the legal filing that investors would have paid $4.2 billion for a stake in FIFA Forward