FIFA Accuses UEFA Of ‘Misinformation Campaign’ As Legal Battle Continues

FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a “misinformation campaign” as the dispute over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal continues through the courts. FIFA is opposing UEFA's request for documents and testimony linked to the proposed transfer of World Cup commercial rights into a new subsidiary.

FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a “misinformation campaign” as the legal dispute surrounding Gianni Infantino and the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal continues.

The latest development comes after UEFA sought permission from a US federal court to obtain documents and testimony that it says could support potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland involving the FIFA president. FIFA has strongly rejected UEFA's allegations and is asking the court to reject the discovery request.

FIFA Rejects UEFA's Allegations

In its response to UEFA's filing, FIFA accused the European governing body of making “false or misleading statements” about the organisation and Infantino.

FIFA specifically rejected UEFA's suggestion that Infantino sought to personally profit from the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, arguing that the project would have required approval from FIFA's governing bodies and would have remained subject to internal oversight.

Dispute Centres On Abandoned FFE Proposal

The legal dispute stems from the now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which was intended to transfer World Cup-related commercial rights into a new subsidiary.

UEFA has alleged that the proposal was developed without adequate consultation with FIFA's governing bodies and member associations and questioned the valuation placed on the proposed enterprise. FIFA disputes that assessment, arguing that UEFA has confused the project's equity valuation with its overall enterprise value.

UEFA Seeks Access To Documents

UEFA's legal action in the United States seeks permission to obtain evidence from FIFA-linked entities based in Florida.

The material is intended for potential legal proceedings in Switzerland, according to the filings. UEFA has also raised concerns about the governance process surrounding the FFE proposal and the way the project was developed.

FIFA Links Dispute To Presidential Election

FIFA has also alleged that UEFA's legal filings are intended to influence the upcoming FIFA presidential election.

Infantino is seeking another term, and FIFA argued in its court filing that UEFA's actions could affect the election campaign by placing allegations against the president into the public domain. UEFA has declined to comment on the latest development.

Governance Dispute Deepens

The legal confrontation is part of a wider dispute over FIFA's governance following the collapse of the FFE proposal.

UEFA and other confederations had opposed the project, citing concerns about consultation and decision-making. The disagreement has subsequently fuelled calls for changes to FIFA's governance structures and greater scrutiny of major commercial decisions.

Legal Battle Remains Ongoing

Neither side has brought the wider dispute to a final conclusion.

FIFA is seeking to prevent UEFA from obtaining the requested evidence, while UEFA is pursuing the legal avenues it says are necessary to examine the circumstances surrounding the abandoned proposal.

The court proceedings will therefore remain important as both organisations continue to present sharply different accounts of the dispute.

Another Chapter In FIFA-UEFA Tensions

FIFA's latest filing marks another escalation in an increasingly public dispute between football's global governing body and UEFA.

While FIFA describes UEFA's allegations as misinformation and rejects claims of wrongdoing by Infantino, UEFA's legal filings continue to seek evidence relating to the abandoned FFE proposal.

With the court process still developing, the dispute is likely to remain closely watched as questions over FIFA's governance, commercial decision-making and Infantino's leadership continue to attract scrutiny.