FIFA accuses UEFA of 'smear campaign' in opposing discovery request - ESPN

FIFA says legal applications made by UEFA to access documents related to FIFA's failed $20 billion plan to sell a stake in the World Cup are part of a «smear campaign» against global soccer's governing body.

UEFA, European soccer's governing body, said on Aug. 27 that it had filed documents in a Manhattan court requesting discovery of potential evidence from the New York investment fund Thrive Capital Management, founded by Joshua Kushner.

Thrive and Kushner were to be the anchor investors intending to pay FIFA $4.2 billion for a 20% stake in a subsidiary that would run the soccer body's commercial events, including the World Cup.

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UEFA said it was seeking the documents for use in preparing potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland, in filings seen by ESPN on Aug. 27.

The following day, FIFA sought approval to oppose UEFA's request in the Southern District of Florida, a motion that was granted by the court on the next business day, Aug. 31. FIFA has until Sept. 28 to submit a full opposition to that court.

A similar motion to oppose was also filed in the Southern District of New York on Tuesday. Documents from FIFA's legal team seen by the Press Association describe UEFA's applications as being «little more than press releases in further support of UEFA's smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership.»

FIFA's filing asks the New York court to defer consideration on UEFA's discovery application until the Florida court has ruled on it, or requests that the court permit FIFA permission to oppose UEFA's application no later