FIFA accuses UEFA of ‘misinformation’ campaign in bid for World Cup papers

FIFA has accused UEFA of spreading misinformation as it attempts to gain access to documents related to Gianni Infantino's plan to sell portions of the World Cup. In a court case in Florida, FIFA claims that UEFA's efforts to secure the documents are also an attempt to influence the upcoming FIFA presidential election. Infantino proposed creating a commercial subsidiary to manage major events like the World Cup and Club World Cup, which would allow private investors to acquire shares in a company under the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative.

However, the plan was quickly abandoned due to backlash in July. FIFA asserts in its court filing that UEFA makes "numerous false or misleading statements" about Infantino and the organization, including the claim that Infantino sought to personally profit from the FFE proposal. UEFA, which includes World Cup winners Spain and football powerhouses such as France, England, and Germany, is leading the opposition to Infantino, openly calling for his removal.

FIFA recently confirmed that Infantino will run for president again in the March election, despite the controversy over his previously abandoned private investment plan. In a letter to FIFA's 211 members, Infantino indicated that more money could be distributed to FIFA members from its cash reserves. He emphasized that the abandoned proposal to sell World Cup commercial rights was meant to generate additional funds for football.

Infantino's proposal garnered support from the 2034 World Cup hosts, Saudi Arabia, as well as Africa's CAF and South America's CONMEBOL.