In a dramatic turn of events, Fifa has launched severe accusations against Uefa, claiming that the governing body for European football has been mounting a significant smear campaign against its leadership. This comes after Infantino’s controversial proposal to sell a portion of the commercial rights to the World Cup to private investors was shelved.
Last week, Uefa took the matter to a US court, demanding Fifa disclose documents related to a criminal case in Switzerland. They allege that Infantino engaged in mismanagement, claiming the value of the tournament was manipulated down to £15 billion for personal gain.
Fifa has responded officially to the US court, requesting that Uefa's lawsuit be dismissed before the month’s end. According to Fifa, the commercial structure project known as Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) was merely a draft and required approval from both the Fifa Council and a majority of national associations before implementation.
Rather than engaging in the democratic process, Uefa opted to release a press statement that initiated a multi-week smear campaign against Fifa and its leadership, the legal document states.
Fifa has alleged that there are hidden motives behind Uefa’s actions. Legal advisors argue that Uefa is threatened by the potential revenue growth of developing nations and the protection of their domestic football markets. Increased funding would allow talented players to remain home rather than migrating to Europe's elite clubs.
The FFE project proposed selling a 20% stake in its commercial arm to Thrive’s venture investor Joshua Kushner for $4.2 billion (£3.1 billion). This deal was expected to increase payouts to national associations from £5.9 million to £14.7 million for the 2027-2030 cycle. However, following protests in July, the project was scrapped, and Kushner publicly expressed regret about entering the football business.
Moreover, three confederations are now calling for Infantino’s resignation, while Uefa is also seeking the testimony of deal advisor Greg Maffei. The investigation is ongoing.
