FIFA respond to UEFA accusations as Infantino row takes new twist

FIFA has accused UEFA of attempting to influence its presidential campaign in new documents submitted to US courts. The response comes after the European governing body filed their own legal papers in the US last month.

UEFA have submitted a request for the disclosure of evidence and documents from FIFA in preparation for possible legal action in Switzerland. They accuse president, Gianni Infantino, of ‘criminal mismanagement.’

The FIFA chief has come under immense pressure following the World Cup in America, as plans emerged to sell shares in the tournament as part of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme. The backlash led to the plans being shelved.

UEFA referred to FFE as "a fraudulently off-market price promoted by [Infantino] for his own benefit.” FIFA have now hit back in their own response.

They say that the brief contains "numerous false or misleading statements about FIFA and Infantino.” In their filing in the Southern District of Florida, they add: "With no basis whatsoever, UEFA suggests that Mr Infantino sought to profit personally from the FFE proposal.

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"As explained, the FFE plan was subject to approval by both the ⁠FIFA member associations and FIFA Council, and FFE would have been subject to oversight by both groups within FIFA. UEFA's suggestions that Mr Infantino violated any law or ethical principle are categorically without merit."

They add: "Just before FIFA's election, UEFA filed this 1782 Application (and three others) spreading misinformation regarding Mr. Infantino. This court should reject any attempt to influence FIFA’s presidential election based on these grounds."

It’s not the first time that FIFA has accused UEFA of a smear campaign against Infantino. Earlier this month, they wrote in court filings : "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.”

Infantino is up for re-election in March next year, with opponents having until 18 November to elect alternative candidates. The English FA chair Debbie Hewitt has already written to the FIFA president , demanding answers over FFE and the controversial overturn of a red card to USA star Folarin Balogun.

Last week The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A joined together to release a statement calling for a complete reform of FIFA amid the election.

“Football ’s longstanding foundations have, in recent years, been threatened by a fundamental governance problem, whereby FIFA’s president has actively promoted exploitative ideas rather than safeguarding against them,” the strong statement read. “And while football’s stakeholders ultimately forced the withdrawal of the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme, the conditions that led to FFE remain.

“The FIFA President has now acknowledged the need for reform, but it is not enough for surface-level, process changes to be explored in the aftermath of FFE – fundamental governance reform is essential to restore clear constitutional boundaries within FIFA, including confidence that individual disciplinary matters remain demonstrably insulated from political interference.”

They added: “Now is the moment to decide not only who will lead FIFA, but also how FIFA should be led. Leagues have a crucial role to play in this process, and we want to ensure that the voice of every league is heard.

“Football needs FIFA to be a strong institution. But strength must be matched by accountability. FIFA’s authority can only come from sharing responsibility, accepting scrutiny and earning trust.”