{
  "id": 5438376,
  "title": "Fifa blasts Uefa ‘smear campaign,’ fights World Cup plan disclosures",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-blasts-uefa-smear-campaign-fights-world-cup-plan-disclosures-5438376",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T22:33:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/04/fifa-blasts-uefa-smear-campaign-fights-world-cup-plan-disclosures"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "European football's governing body Uefa has accused FIFA of orchestrating a smear campaign and a fishing expedition after the latter requested documents related to its aborted World Cup investor plan. FIFA, which scrapped the plan due to widespread backlash, claims Uefa's demands are an attempt to remove its president, Gianni Infantino. Uefa, however, is preparing potential legal action against Infantino for alleged criminal mismanagement. The controversy intensified when Uefa filed requests in three US states seeking documents from FIFA and its partners, including potential lead investor Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital firm. FIFA has responded by seeking permission to challenge Uefa's requests in US courts, arguing that Uefa lacks the right to demand internal documents without existing criminal proceedings in Switzerland or elsewhere.",
  "summary": "European football's governing body prepares possible legal action against Gianni Infantino for alleged 'criminal mismanagement'.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "City AM",
        "title": "Fifa World Cup ticket ‘misbehaviour’ warning to MPs over UK’s Sporting Events Bill",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-world-cup-ticket-misbehaviour-warning-to-mps-over-uks-sporting",
        "published": "2026-09-03T08:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "FIFA accuses UEFA of ‘smear campaign’ over dropped World Cup investment plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-accuses-uefa-of-smear-campaign-over-dropped-world-cup-investment",
        "published": "2026-09-03T18:38:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "FIFA blasts UEFA 'smear campaign', fights World Cup plan disclosures",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-blasts-uefa-smear-campaign-fights-world-cup-plan-disclosures",
        "published": "2026-09-03T18:47:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "FIFA blasts UEFA ‘smear campaign,’ fights World Cup plan disclosures",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-blasts-uefa-smear-campaign-fights-world-cup-plan-disclosures-5401180",
        "published": "2026-09-03T19:43:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Fifa blasts Uefa ‘smear campaign,’ fights World Cup plan disclosures",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fifa-blasts-uefa-smear-campaign-fights-world-cup-plan-disclosures-5439348",
        "published": "2026-09-03T22:33:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Fifa hits back at Uefa ‘fishing expedition’ in row over Infantino and World Cup investor plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/fifa-hits-back-at-uefa-fishing-expedition-in-row-over-infantino-and",
        "published": "2026-09-04T01:30:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}