FIFA accuses UEFA of running campaign against Infantino amid the World Cup rights scandal

FIFA have slammed UEFA for running an anti-campaign against them. (Image credits – CommonsWikipedia, License Details)

Football's biggest governing body, FIFA, has accused UEFA of running a “smear campaign” against President Infantino, escalating further tensions between the two governing bodies over FIFA’s abandoned proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of its competitions, including the World Cup.

This scandal has even moved to the US courts after UEFA filed a case seeking testimony and documents from US-based organisations connected to FIFA’s proposal.

UEFA has stated that the evidence could be useful in further proceedings against Infantino and other top FIFA officials.

FIFA has condemned this move from its European counterpart and has filed a case to counter UEFA’s request.

Lawyers representing FIFA have slammed UEFA for running a “smear campaign” against them and have urged the courts to deny UEFA’s requests, arguing that there are no ongoing criminal proceedings against Infantino and other FIFA officials in Switzerland.

The dispute is based on FFE, a controversial proposal that would have involved outside investment in commercial rights linked to the men’s and women’s World Cups.

FIFA’s plan was to raise around $4.2 billion and was backed by prospective investors, including Thrive Capital, led by Joshua Kushner.

UEFA strongly opposed this move, arguing that FIFA didn't consult its governing bodies and its 211 member nations.

European nations had even threatened to boycott the World Cup if FIFA’s plans went ahead before FIFA eventually pulled out of the proposal after widespread criticism of the proposal.

The fallout has since developed into a bigger duel over the leadership and governance of world football.

UEFA is also reportedly considering taking legal action against Infantino in Switzerland and calling for an external review of how the FFE proposal was developed by the world's biggest governing body in football.

FIFA, however, has accused UEFA of protecting its own economic interests and maintaining European football’s dominance.

They argued that strengthening football in smaller and developing nations through additional investment could increase global competition and reduce UEFA’s dominance in the sport.

This dispute has also put huge pressure on Infantino ahead of the FIFA presidential elections in 2027.

The UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF have all been critical of the FIFA president, with the three confederations discussing calls for his resignation and a potential vote of no confidence.

Infantino has support from the African Confederation and the South American Confederation, leaving FIFA facing severe internal politics.

What began as a disagreement over a proposed commercial investment scheme has evolved into a much wider confrontation over FIFA’s governance and transparency.

With the UEFA searching for evidence through the U.S. courts and FIFA fighting back against those efforts, the dispute surrounding Infantino is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.