FIFA accuses UEFA of ‘misinformation campaign’ over World Cup plan

FIFA has accused UEFA of a “misinformation campaign” and of trying to influence the governing body’s presidential election through legal action over a now-shelved plan to transfer World Cup commercial rights to a new company.

The accusation came in a filing with a US federal court in Florida, where FIFA asked judges to deny UEFA’s request for documents and testimony related to the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

UEFA is looking for the material for a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the abandoned investment plan. UEFA has claimed the proposal was drawn up without proper consultation and the commercial rights were undervalued.

FIFA said UEFA’s submission contained “numerous false or misleading statements” and rejected suggestions that Infantino was seeking to benefit personally from the proposal.

“UEFA’s suggestions that Mr Infantino violated any law or ethical principle are categorically without merit,” FIFA said in the filing.

UEFA declined to comment.

The FFE plan was scrapped in July after opposition from UEFA and other football confederations. Infantino is standing for re-election as FIFA president in March.