{
  "id": 5411293,
  "title": "FIFA accuses UEFA of 'smear campaign' over World Cup sell-off plan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-accuses-uefa-of-smear-campaign-over-world-cup-sell-off-plan",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T20:34:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-04/fifa-accuse-uefa-of-smear-campaign/107114684"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The international football authority FIFA has accused UEFA of launching a smear campaign against its president, Gianni Infantino. UEFA has indicated it may pursue criminal proceedings against Infantino for his aborted plan to sell shares in FIFA's commercial rights. Infantino is seeking re-election for a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027. FIFA claims UEFA is waging a smear campaign against itself and Infantino, escalating tensions over the scrapped proposal. UEFA submitted an ex parte application to a US court last week, requesting permission to gather testimony and documents from US-based entities for potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland. FIFA described these applications as press releases, furthering UEFA's smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership.",
  "summary": "Football's major governing bodies continue to fight over the failed plan by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to sell off the rights for the World Cup, with the global governing body accusing European body UEFA of a \"smear campaign\" against the president.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "FIFA accuses UEFA of launching 'smear campaign' against Gianni Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-accuses-uefa-of-launching-smear-campaign-against-gianni-infantino",
        "published": "2026-09-03T17:33:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "FIFA accuses UEFA of 'smear campaign' in fight over Infantino plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-accuses-uefa-of-smear-campaign-in-fight-over-infantino-plan",
        "published": "2026-09-03T18:06:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Fifa accuses Uefa of 'smear campaign' against Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-accuses-uefa-of-smear-campaign-against-infantino",
        "published": "2026-09-03T18:10:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Fifa accuses Uefa of 'smear campaign' against Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-accuses-uefa-of-smear-campaign-against-infantino-5394371",
        "published": "2026-09-03T19:16:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "Fifa accuses Uefa of ‘smear campaign’ against Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-accuses-uefa-of-smear-campaign-against-infantino-5400088",
        "published": "2026-09-03T19:46:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "FIFA accuses UEFA of 'smear campaign' over World Cup sell-off plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-accuses-uefa-of-smear-campaign-over-world-cup-sell-off-plan-5412267",
        "published": "2026-09-03T20:34:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "FIFA blames UEFA for 'smear campaign' against Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-blames-uefa-for-smear-campaign-against-infantino",
        "published": "2026-09-03T22:35:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}