FIFA has launched a sharp critique against UEFA, accusing the organization of conducting a “disinformation campaign” aimed at undermining Gianni Infantino‘s plan to attract private investors for the World Cup.
In legal filings submitted on behalf of FIFA to U.S. courts, it is highlighted that Infantino’s refusal to consider the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal—a project he ultimately abandoned after rejection by UEFA and two other continental confederations—would constitute a failure to fulfill his official duties.
These documents, obtained by the Press Association, were filed in the U.S. District Court for Southern Florida, where FIFA is challenging UEFA’s motion to disclose materials related to FFE. The statement denies any allegations that Infantino personally benefited from FFE, emphasizing that the scheme would have required approval from all 211 FIFA member associations as well as the FIFA Council.
UEFA is accused of submitting the motion “to exert pressure rather than out of a genuine need for evidence,” which FIFA argues is grounds for its dismissal.
Perhaps the most serious claim made by the European football body in its initial disclosure request was that the FFE project was assigned a “fraudulent valuation inconsistent with market realities,” pegged at $20 billion.
In response, FIFA stated that UEFA confused the equity value with the enterprise value. According to FIFA, the enterprise value was more than double the equity value.
“UEFA would have known this if it had taken the time to verify its assertions before publicly criticizing the proposal or filing a federal lawsuit,” FIFA’s document reads.
Amid the collapse of the European Super League project, UEFA has expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino and is actively seeking a credible challenger to contest the presidential elections next year.
The legal filing by FIFA also raises concerns about the timing of UEFA’s lawsuit, specifically noting that the deadline for candidate nominations is November 18.
