FIFA has accused UEFA of waging a 'smear campaign' against it and president Gianni Infantino, escalating a legal dispute over the abandoned proposal to sell a stake in the world governing body's commercial rights. In a motion to intervene filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, FIFA argued that UEFA's request for US testimony and documents was a 'press release' masquerading as a legal filing, motivated by a desire to preserve European football's dominance.
The dispute centres on FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed entity that would have held commercial rights linked to the men's and women's World Cups. UEFA last week submitted an ex parte application seeking permission to obtain evidence from US-based entities for use in potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland against Infantino and other FIFA officials. The proposal was withdrawn on July 31 after widespread opposition, including from UEFA.
In its September 1 filing, FIFA (AMERICAS) Inc. and FWC2026 US, Inc. asked the court to defer ruling on UEFA's application or allow FIFA to oppose it. 'While these applications are styled as legal pleadings with captions and docket numbers, they are little more than press releases in further support of UEFA's smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership,' FIFA said in the filing.
FIFA argued that UEFA's opposition was rooted in a desire to preserve European football's dominance and that UEFA had sought to derail the FFE proposal from the outset. '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,' FIFA added.
UEFA has said it is considering criminal proceedings and alleged the FFE proposal was developed without adequate consultation with FIFA's governing bodies and 211 member associations. The European body has also provisionally suspended plans to boycott FIFA competitions, allowing all qualified teams to participate in next month's Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland.
Infantino, up for re-election for a fourth term in March 2027, has faced growing pressure. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have discussed a potential vote of no confidence and called for his resignation. Infantino retains support from African and South American confederations and has sought to appeal directly to individual member associations. UEFA said it would work with partner confederations to offer a 'credible alternative' committed to reform if Infantino seeks another term.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The dispute threatens to deepen divisions within global football governance, potentially affecting future World Cup commercial deals and the stability of FIFA's leadership.
- Infantino's re-election bid may be significantly undermined if the rift with major confederations remains unresolved, creating uncertainty about FIFA's direction.
- The legal manoeuvring in US courts highlights the international reach of the conflict and could set precedent for how internal FIFA disputes are litigated.
Background
The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal would have created a new entity holding commercial rights to the men's and women's World Cups, effectively selling a stake in those rights. UEFA and other regional bodies opposed the plan, arguing it was developed without proper consultation and centralised too much power. The proposal was withdrawn on July 31, but tensions have persisted. UEFA subsequently examined potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland over how the plan was developed, leading to its application in the Southern District of New York.
Infantino, a Swiss-Italian administrator first elected in 2016, has been a polarising figure. He has overseen expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams and proposed biennial tournaments, drawing both support and fierce opposition. The current stand-off reflects broader power struggles between European football and the global body.
Key Perspectives
FIFA: Denies wrongdoing and views UEFA's actions as a smear campaign and an attempt to preserve European dominance. It argues that the proposed criminal proceedings are non-existent and that UEFA is abusing legal processes for political ends.
UEFA: Contends that the FFE proposal was illegitimate and that accountability is needed. It is seeking transparency through legal channels and pushing for reform of FIFA's governance, including presidential term limits.
Other confederations: AFC and CONCACAF have aligned with UEFA in seeking Infantino's resignation, while CAF and CONMEBOL continue to back him. Some individual member associations are being courted directly by Infantino.
What to Watch
- The US court's ruling on UEFA's ex parte application and FIFA's motion to intervene, which will determine whether discovery proceeds.
- Whether UEFA and partner confederations formally file criminal charges in Switzerland and what evidence emerges.
- The outcome of FIFA's presidential election in March 2027 and whether a credible alternative candidate emerges.