FIFA counters UEFA in New York court over World Cup stake sale dispute
FIFA has formally accused UEFA of launching a "smear campaign" against President Gianni Infantino, arguing that the European governing body’s legal actions in the United States are driven by self-interest rather than procedural necessity.
The legal battle between the world’s two most powerful football governing bodies has intensified in the Southern District of New York, where FIFA has filed a response to UEFA’s request for evidence. The dispute centres on the aborted attempt to sell a portion of the men’s World Cup to private investors, a move that has triggered significant institutional friction. FIFA contends that UEFA’s applications, while styled as legal pleadings, function primarily as press releases supporting a broader campaign against FIFA’s leadership.
In its filing, FIFA argues that UEFA’s legal strategy suffers from a "fundamental defect." The global body claims that UEFA is seeking discovery in aid of a foreign criminal proceeding in Switzerland that does not yet exist. FIFA notes that UEFA admittedly lacks the authority to initiate such proceedings, despite warning that it is considering launching a criminal case against President Gianni Infantino in the country where FIFA is headquartered.
The conflict also highlights differing interpretations of the original $20 billion World Cup subsidiary plan. FIFA’s legal team asserts that the venture was "only a proposal" requiring approval by member associations and the ruling council. This stands in contrast to earlier reports by Sky News, which revealed plans in June to receive up to $4.2 billion from private investors in October. Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s senior adviser, had previously described the attempt as a "bad deal" for football when he quit his role.
FIFA further alleges that UEFA’s economic motivation is to protect its own market power. The filing suggests that UEFA sought to prevent smaller countries from gaining the financial strength to compete with the European elite. According to FIFA, if soccer is strengthened in the developing world through the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plans, global competition increases, ultimately reducing UEFA’s dominance and providing more competition for its flagship tournaments.
The dispute has become a focal point for efforts to oust Infantino from power, with UEFA reportedly pushing for his resignation or a challenge in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March. FIFA maintains that these disputes should be resolved within the democratic processes of football rather than through the courts. It argues that UEFA issued a press release rather than participating in that process, marking the beginning of a "weeks-long smear campaign."
It is understood that the legal process could be shortened if UEFA discloses documents relating to the FFE plans. Sources indicate that the prevailing feeling at UEFA is that if there is nothing to worry about, the documents should be disclosed. However, this potential move has not yet been formally confirmed by the European governing body.
