FIFA has formally accused European football’s governing body, UEFA, of harassment and spreading disinformation aimed at undermining President Gianni Infantino’s upcoming re-election bid. The allegations appear in a legal filing submitted in Miami, where FIFA is seeking to block UEFA’s request for full disclosure of documents related to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.
The proposed scheme, which was dropped earlier this year, would have sold shares in the World Cup to private investors. According to the court documents obtained by Sky News, UEFA has demanded access to all evidence concerning the failed venture, suggesting it may pursue criminal charges against Infantino for mismanagement. UEFA alleges that the FIFA president undersold the tournaments for personal financial gain.
FIFA’s legal team rejected these claims, stating there was “no basis whatsoever” for the assertion that Infantino sought personal profit from the FFE proposal. The filing characterized UEFA’s application as filed in bad faith and designed primarily to harass the FIFA president.
The dispute unfolds just months before Infantino stands for a fourth term in March 2027. UEFA recently withdrew its support for the incumbent but has not yet nominated a rival candidate, with the deadline for submissions set for November 18. FIFA’s filing criticized the timing of the legal move, arguing it was an attempt to sway the election through misinformation rather than legitimate legal recourse.
“This court should reject any attempt to influence FIFA’s presidential election based on these grounds,” the submission read. As Premier League leaders join other top European clubs in demanding reform, UEFA maintains it has lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership and is searching for a credible challenger to oppose him next year.
Another bitter feud in football governance. Honestly, I just want them to stop dragging everything into Miami courts and focus on the sport.
Can someone explain why UEFA hasn’t nominated a rival candidate yet? What is the plan if they can’t even find a challenger by November?
Does anyone else find it suspicious that this legal filing dropped right before the election deadline? Sure looks like a distraction tactic to me.
I’m stunned by the idea of selling World Cup shares. That sounds like a recipe for corruption, no matter how the legal battle plays out.
It’s wild that UEFA is using the courts instead of a proper campaign to challenge Infantino. This feels petty and politically motivated.