FIFA accuses UEFA of seeking World Cup documents to influence election

FIFA has accused European football’s governing body UEFA of conducting a misinformation campaign in its effort to obtain documents concerning Gianni Infantino’s abandoned plan to sell stakes in parts of the World Cup’s commercial operations. The allegation was made in FIFA’s response to a court case in Florida. FIFA said UEFA’s attempt to force the release of documents was also aimed at influencing next year’s FIFA presidential election.

Infantino’s proposal, announced in July, involved creating a commercial subsidiary to manage major competitions including the World Cup and Club World Cup. Private investors would have been allowed to acquire stakes in a company established under the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative. The proposal was quickly shelved after provoking opposition.

FIFA said in its court filing that UEFA had made numerous false or misleading statements about Infantino and the world governing body. It specifically rejected the claim that Infantino had sought to profit personally from the proposal. AFP said it had contacted UEFA for a response.

UEFA has led opposition to Infantino and has openly called for his removal. FIFA confirmed this month that Infantino would seek another term as president in the election scheduled for next March. Infantino has defended the withdrawn plan as an attempt to create additional funds for football.

In a letter to FIFA’s 211 member associations, he said the proposal had been intended to allow greater investment in the sport. He also said he would support the greatest level of additional funding that could responsibly be distributed from FIFA’s reserves. Infantino retains support from several influential bodies and countries, including Saudi Arabia, the Confederation of African Football and South America’s CONMEBOL.