"Where Africa Comes to Stay Informed."
US Edition
Thursday, August 27, 2026
"Where Africa Comes to Stay Informed."
FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a "smear campaign" against itself and President Gianni Infantino, intensifying a conflict regarding the halted proposal to sell a share in the world governing body's commercial rights, as stated in a court filing reviewed by Reuters.
Last week, UEFA filed an ex parte application in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, requesting authorization to acquire testimony and documents from entities based in the U.S. for potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland.
FIFA stated in the filing that although these applications are presented as legal pleadings complete with captions and docket numbers, they are essentially just press releases that further UEFA's smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership.
UEFA announced that it was contemplating criminal proceedings against Infantino and other FIFA officials regarding FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a suggested entity that would have managed commercial rights associated with the men's and women's World Cups.
UEFA claimed that the proposal was created without sufficient consultation with FIFA's governing bodies and the 211 member associations.
On September 1, FIFA (AMERICAS) Inc. and FWC2026 US, Inc. filed a motion to intervene, as reported by Reuters, in which FIFA requested the court to postpone its decision on UEFA's application or permit it to contest the request.
FIFA contended that UEFA was pursuing discovery for "allegedly anticipated (but non-existent) Swiss criminal proceedings." The world governing body also claimed that UEFA had attempted to undermine the FFE proposal from the very beginning.
The proposal was withdrawn on July 31 following opposition from UEFA and other regional governing bodies.
Instead of engaging in the democratic process, UEFA released a statement, marking the start of a prolonged smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership," FIFA stated in the filing.
FIFA contended that UEFA's resistance stemmed from a wish to maintain the supremacy of European football.
MOUNTING PRESSURE ON INFANTINO
Infantino, seeking re-election for a fourth term in March 2027, has faced criticism since presenting the now-abandoned proposal, leading several countries to withdraw their support for his candidacy.
The administrator from Switzerland and Italy is facing mounting pressure to step down from three confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America as well as the Caribbean.
The regional governing bodies have deliberated on a possible vote of no confidence in Infantino.
Infantino, who has the backing of the African and South American confederations, has aimed to marginalize the confederations and connect directly with individual members.
UEFA is pursuing reforms.
Last week, UEFA announced that it would collaborate with partner confederations to provide member associations with a "credible alternative" dedicated to reform, should Infantino pursue another term.
UEFA has also temporarily halted plans to boycott FIFA competitions, allowing all qualified teams to take part in next month's Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland, the first significant tournament that might have been impacted by the standoff.
However, the body stated that its members had unanimously authorized the confederation to explore "every available institutional, political, and legal avenue" to achieve reforms and reinstate limits on presidential authority.
The confederation also urged for "a genuinely independent external review" of the unsuccessful FIFA proposal, stating, "FIFA cannot investigate itself and expect the football community to simply accept its conclusions.
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