Fifa has accused Uefa of a “smear campaign against it and its leadership” over president Gianni Infantino’s scrapped plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
Last week European football’s governing body filed legal papers in the US requesting disclosure of evidence and documents from Fifa as part of potential criminal claims in Switzerland.
In a dramatic escalation of the controversy, Uefa accused Infantino of “criminal mismanagement” and “a fraudulently off-market price promoted by [him] for his own benefit” over the now-shelved Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme.
However, world governing body Fifa has now responded with a court filing lodged in the US – and seen by the BBC – requesting that a court “oppose” the application by the end of the month.
Fifa said it had “made clear” that the creation of FFE was “only a proposal”, adding that it could have only proceeded on the condition that the majority of member associations supported it and “the relevant approvals of the Fifa Council”.
“Rather than participate in that democratic process, Uefa issued a press release – the beginning of a weeks-long smear campaign against Fifa and its leadership,” it wrote in the court filing.
It also claimed that Uefa’s “economic motivation” was to prevent smaller countries from having the “financial strength to compete with the European elite”.
“If soccer is strengthened in the developing world, global competition increases, which ultimately reduces Uefa’s market power and provides more competition for its flagship tournaments,” Fifa said.
“By raising funds to allow some of Fifa’s smaller member associations to better develop soccer, FFE would lead to more players from those nations choosing to represent their countries of origin and playing in their home leagues rather than playing abroad.”
Uefa has been approached for comment.
Uefa has also asked a court in New York to approve a legal document ordering testimony and documents from venture capitalist Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who was set to be the lead investor in FFE, and his company Thrive Eternal.
Thrive had held talks with Infantino about heading up a $4.2bn (£3.1bn) investment in 20% of a new Fifa commercial subsidiary, before the idea was abandoned days after it was revealed in July amid a huge backlash.
European football’s governing body Uefa has led the rebellion against the Fifa president, who is facing calls to stand down from three confederations.
More to follow.
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