FIFA blasts UEFA ‘smear campaign,’ fights World Cup plan disclosures

FIFA has accused UEFA of a “smear campaign” and a “fishing expedition” after European football’s governing body asked United States judges to force FIFA to hand over documents related to its failed World Cup investor plan.

Global football body FIFA’s divisive plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to investors, unveiled in July, triggered a huge backlash across the sport, with UEFA threatening to boycott the World Cup unless the plan was scrapped.

While FIFA quickly aborted the plans in response to the backlash, UEFA is now preparing possible legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino for alleged “criminal mismanagement”.

Last week, it filed requests in three US states seeking the disclosure of documents related to the plan from FIFA and partners, including prospective lead investor Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital firm.

If successful in gaining access to the documents, UEFA had said it intends to lodge a legal complaint in Switzerland, saying it has been assured the case would meet the requirements to be heard in a Swiss court.

But FIFA has hit back, asking US judges for permission to contest the UEFA requests.

“While these applications are styled as legal pleadings with captions and docket numbers, they are little more than press releases in further support of UEFA’s smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership,” say the FIFA filings.

The filings say UEFA does not have the right to demand FIFA internal documents because no criminal proceedings yet exist in Switzerland or elsewhere.