FIFA has accused UEFA of running a “misinformation” campaign over its efforts to obtain documents concerning Gianni Infantino’s abandoned plan to commercialise parts of the World Cup.
In a court filing in Florida, FIFA said UEFA’s attempt to secure the documents also seeks to “influence” next year’s presidential election.
Infantino sparked controversy in July after proposing a commercial arm that would oversee major FIFA competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup.
The proposal would have enabled private investors to take stakes in a company established through the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, but it was withdrawn following widespread opposition.
FIFA said UEFA had made “numerous false or misleading statements” about Infantino and the organisation, including the claim that “Infantino sought to profit personally from the FFE proposal.”
AFP has contacted UEFA for comment.
UEFA, which represents major football nations including World Cup holders Spain, France, England and Germany, has emerged as a leading critic of Infantino and has openly called for his removal.
FIFA confirmed this month that Infantino will seek another term as president in March, despite the controversy surrounding his abandoned investment proposal.
In a letter to FIFA’s 211 member associations this week, Infantino indicated that members could receive more funding from the organisation’s reserves.
He said he would back “the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered”.
Infantino maintained that the withdrawn World Cup commercialisation plan was designed to increase funding for football.
“The recent commercial proposal, now withdrawn, was intended to enable FIFA to invest more in football,” Infantino wrote.
Infantino retains support from several football bodies, with 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia backing him last month, alongside African governing body CAF and South American confederation CONMEBOL.
