FIFA accuses UEFA of disinformation in dispute over World Cup documents — Asharq Al-Awsat
In Florida, United States, FIFA accused UEFA in a court filing of conducting a “disinformation campaign” over an attempt to obtain documents concerning a withdrawn plan to commercialize the rights to the organization’s largest tournaments. As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, FIFA believes UEFA’s request is intended to influence FIFA’s presidential election, scheduled for March next year.
FIFA’s position
In a 26-page filing, FIFA said UEFA was acting with the aim of persecution rather than due to a justified need to obtain evidence. The world football organization also accused the European confederation of bad faith and said its motion had neither factual nor legal grounds.
FIFA claims that UEFA made numerous false or misleading statements about the organization’s president, Gianni Infantino. In particular, FIFA denied claims that Infantino sought to personally profit from the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.
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UEFA’s request and the withdrawn plan
In July, Infantino proposed creating a commercial subsidiary to manage tournaments such as the World Cup and the Club World Cup. The plan envisaged allowing private investors to acquire stakes in a company created within FIFA Forward Enterprise. Following criticism, the proposal was quickly withdrawn.
UEFA went to court in Florida seeking permission to gather evidence for a possible criminal complaint in Switzerland, where both organizations are based. Last month, UEFA said that together with other interested parties it was preparing criminal claims against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials and advisers over possible criminal mismanagement. UEFA declined to comment in response to an AFP request.
FIFA confirmed this month that Infantino would run for president again. UEFA had previously called on FIFA to allocate $10 million to each of its 211 member associations for infrastructure and football development, totaling $2.1 billion. According to UEFA’s estimate, FIFA has about $6 billion in unused cash reserves.
