Fifa accuses Uefa of 'misinformation campaign'

FIFA has accused UEFA of running a "misinformation campaign" and attempting to influence the debate over its reform efforts through newly filed court documents. Last period European football’s governing body filed legal papers in the United States seeking disclosure of evidence and documents from FIFA, indicating it might pursue a breach of contract claim in Switzerland. UEFA alleged that FIFA President Gianni Infantino engaged in "criminal mismanagement" and promoted a "fraudulently off-market deal" benefiting himself through the now‑shelved FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative. In its response on Monday evening, world football’s governing body said UEFA’s filing contained "numerous mendacious oregon misleading statements astir Fifa and Infantino". "With nary ground whatsoever, Uefa suggests that Mr Infantino sought to nett personally from the FFE proposal," FIFA said in a filing in the Southern District of Florida, opposing UEFA’s discovery request. "Uefa's suggestions that Mr Infantino violated immoderate instrumentality oregon ethical rule are categorically without merit." FIFA also described UEFA’s filing as "farcically overbroad," noting that "districts faced with akin requests person outright rejected specified applications". BBC Sport contacted UEFA for comment and was told by insiders that, if FIFA has something to hide, it should release the documents and accelerate the legal process. UEFA has led the opposition to the FIFA president, who faces calls to step down from three confederations. FIFA’s FFE program proposed selling stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors, provoking a strong backlash. Infantino faced demands for his resignation but maintained the initiative was intended to generate additional revenue for the sport. Earlier this month, Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, a FIFA vice‑president, urged Infantino to release all documents related to his controversial plan and called for an independent review of FFE. Infantino will stand for re‑election for a fourth term in March 2027, with his opponents required to nominate an alternative candidate by 18 November.