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

FIFA has accused UEFA, Europe's football governing body, of launching a misinformation campaign in an attempt to gain access to documents related to the World Cup. FIFA's legal filing in a Florida court case states that UEFA's attempts to force the world body to hand over the documents are meant to influence the FIFA presidential election in the following year.

The legal document claims UEFA is behaving in bad faith, acting out of a desire for harassment rather than a legitimate need for discovery. FIFA president Gianni Infantino's proposal to create a commercial subsidiary to run major events like the World Cup and Club World Cup was met with backlash in July, leading FIFA to abandon the plan.

FIFA alleges that UEFA made numerous false or misleading statements about Infantino and the organization, including the claim that Infantino sought personal profit from the proposal. UEFA has requested permission to gather evidence for a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland, where both FIFA and UEFA are based. The federation, representing successful World Cup holders and football powers, is leading opposition to Infantino, calling for his removal.

Infantino is scheduled to run for re-election as FIFA president in March, despite the controversy surrounding his abandoned investment plan. Infantino stated in a letter to FIFA's 211 members that he would support additional funding for member associations for infrastructure and football development, emphasizing the organization's vast cash reserves.