Fifa accuses Uefa of 'smear campaign' against Infantino
FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a smear campaign against its leadership following legal challenges regarding a scrapped World Cup investment plan. FIFA claims UEFA is attempting to protect its market dominance by hindering the development of football in smaller nations.
Why it matters
The public dispute between the two most powerful football governing bodies highlights deep-seated tensions over global football governance and financial control.
By Dan Roan , Sports editor and Michael Race , Senior journalist Published 3 September 2026, 19:05 BST Updated 15 minutes ago 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.
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