FIFA accuses UEFA of defamation against it and its leadership

The dispute between the FIFA World Cup and UEFA has entered a new phase of escalation, after FIFA accused its European counterpart of launching a 'smear campaign' against the federation and its president Gianni Infantino, due to the investment project that was recently cancelled.

UEFA has initiated legal proceedings in a US court seeking the disclosure of documents and evidence from FIFA, as part of legal moves that could develop into criminal claims in Switzerland.

UEFA has accused Infantino of "criminal mismanagement", criticizing the way the project's value was determined, claiming that the proposed price was lower than its true value and that it was promoted in a manner that serves the interests of the FIFA president.

FIFA has submitted a legal memorandum to a US court, requesting the rejection of UEFA's request, stating that the "FIFA Forward Enterprise" project was merely a "proposal" and had not been implemented.

FIFA stated in its memo: "We clarified that the establishment of the FIFA Forward Enterprise was merely a proposal, and it could only proceed on the condition of receiving support from the majority of member associations, along with the necessary approvals from the FIFA Council."

FIFA stated: "Instead of participating in that democratic process, UEFA issued a press release, which was the beginning of a smear campaign that lasted for weeks against FIFA and its leadership."

FIFA has accused UEFA of having an "economic motive" behind its opposition to the project, arguing that the goal is to prevent smaller federations from having the financial power to compete with major European clubs and national teams.

FIFA stated: "If football is strengthened in developing countries, global competition will increase, which will ultimately reduce UEFA's market power and increase competition for its major tournaments."

He added: "By raising funds to allow some of the smaller member associations in FIFA to develop football better, the project would lead to an increase in the number of players from these countries choosing to represent their national teams and play in their local leagues instead of playing abroad."

UEFA lawyers also see that the value of the FIFA World Cup has been assessed at around £15 billion, which they assert "was not the result of an open and competitive auction, nor was it subject to independent evaluation."

UEFA claims that Infantino did not consult the responsible parties within FIFA regarding the project, as legal escalation continues between the two sides, with anticipation for what the upcoming procedures will yield.