FIFA accuses UEFA of running a smear campaign against it

FIFA says UEFA’s court filings are really a public-relations offensive against its leadership, not a genuine legal proceeding.

The governing body made the accusation in documents disclosed Thursday after UEFA asked US judges to compel FIFA to hand over records linked to its abandoned plan to attract investors for the World Cup. UEFA strongly rejected the proposal, presented in July, and threatened to boycott the tournament unless FIFA withdrew it.

FIFA eventually abandoned the plan after criticism from across the football world. UEFA was not satisfied and is preparing possible legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over what it describes as suspected criminal mismanagement.

Last week, UEFA filed requests in three US states seeking documents from FIFA and its partners, including Thrive Capital, whose founder Joshua Kushner had emerged as the main potential investor. UEFA has said the documents could support a formal complaint in Switzerland, where the matter might meet the requirements for court proceedings.

FIFA asked US judges for permission to challenge those requests. “Although these requests are presented in the format of legal pleadings, with their headings and case numbers, they are nothing more than press releases intended to reinforce UEFA’s smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership,” FIFA said in the filings. It also argued that UEFA had no right to demand FIFA’s internal records because no criminal proceeding exists in Switzerland or elsewhere. Even if such a case existed, FIFA said, UEFA would lack standing because it had suffered no financial loss.

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Although these requests are presented in the format of legal pleadings, with their headings and case numbers, they are nothing more than press releases intended to reinforce UEFA’s smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership.