Fifa has formally accused Uefa of waging a “smear campaign” against the organization and its leadership, responding to legal actions taken by European football’s governing body regarding president Gianni Infantino’s abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
Last week, Uefa filed legal papers in the United States seeking disclosure of evidence and documents from Fifa as part of potential criminal claims in Switzerland. The move followed Uefa’s allegation that Infantino engaged in “criminal mismanagement” by promoting a “fraudulently off-market price” for the now-shelved Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme.
In a counter-filing seen by the BBC, Fifa requested that the court oppose Uefa’s application by the end of the month. The global governing body emphasized that FFE was merely a proposal that would have required majority support from member associations and approval from the Fifa Council.
“Rather than participate in that democratic process, Uefa issued a press release – the beginning of a weeks-long smear campaign against Fifa and its leadership,” the filing stated.
Fifa further argued that Uefa’s opposition was driven by economic motivation, aiming to prevent smaller nations from gaining the financial strength to compete with European elites. The filing claimed that strengthening football in the developing world would increase global competition, thereby reducing Uefa’s market power and threatening its flagship tournaments.
According to Fifa, the FFE scheme would have allowed smaller member associations to develop their infrastructure, encouraging players to represent their countries of origin and play in home leagues rather than abroad.
Uefa has also petitioned a New York court to compel testimony and documents from Joshua Kushner, whose company Thrive Eternal was set to be the lead investor in the FFE deal. Talks between Infantino and Thrive had explored a $4.2bn (£3.1bn) investment for a 20% stake in a new Fifa commercial subsidiary before the plan was dropped in July following significant backlash.
Infantino continues to face calls to resign from three confederations, with Uefa leading the rebellion against the Fifa president. Uefa has been approached for comment.
This is classic football politics. Smear campaign or legitimate oversight? The lack of transparency is concerning.
Wait, $4.2 billion for 20%? That valuation seems wildly optimistic for a proposal that never got approved.
Does anyone actually believe FIFA’s claim about UEFA trying to suppress developing nations? Sounds like a deflection.