FIFA accuses UEFA of disinformation in Florida court battle over World Cup plan | OneFootball

FIFA has accused UEFA of a disinformation campaign in a Florida court dispute over documents tied to Gianni Infantino’s shelved World Cup plan. According to Le Progres, a 26-page filing on Monday asked the court to dismiss UEFA’s request and said the bid is aimed at influencing the FIFA presidential election on 18 March 2027.

FIFA says UEFA is harassing rather than pursuing a legitimate discovery need, and accuses it of bad faith. It also rejects suggestions Infantino sought personal gain from opening World Cup revenues to investors.

In late August, UEFA lodged a 60-page petition to compel FIFA’s US affiliates to release records on the plan, which was dropped after criticism.

UEFA said the material would support a later Swiss proceeding against Infantino and possibly others. The potential complaint is alleged unfair management, punishable by up to five years in prison and requiring proof of intentional harm to FIFA’s interests.

The row adds to a rift since the summer with UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC, who want governance reform, with some calling for Infantino to resign.

10 days ago, Aleksander Ceferin and Victor Montagliani asked FIFA to pay at least 10 million dollars to each of the 211 federations, citing reserves of about 6 billion dollars. Infantino opened talks on redistribution without pre-judging any amount, and proposed a consultation of federations, with ideas to be reviewed by the Council on 15 October. He remains the only candidate, with nominations due by 18 November.

Source: Le Progres

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