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FIFA accuses UEFA of a 'smear campaign' amid World Cup plan disclosures

FIFA has labeled UEFA's requests for documents related to its World Cup investor plan as a 'smear campaign' and a 'fishing expedition'.

3 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: FIFA accuses UEFA of a 'smear campaign' amid World Cup plan disclosures — Archive photoPhoto: Frank Schwichtenberg · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

FIFA has accused UEFA of launching a 'smear campaign' following UEFA's request to US judges for documents tied to FIFA's abandoned World Cup investor plan. This accusation comes amid ongoing tensions between the two football governing bodies over FIFA's controversial proposal to allow private investors to buy stakes in the World Cup, which was introduced in July.

According to FIFA, UEFA's legal action aiming to access these documents is not merely a request for transparency, but part of a broader strategy to damage FIFA's reputation. The conflict has escalated following a significant backlash against FIFA's proposal, which prompted UEFA to threaten a boycott of the World Cup if the plan was not rescinded.

FIFA indicated that it has already halted plans for the investor scheme in response to this backlash. The organization characterized UEFA's actions as attempts to undermine its authority and credibility in the world of soccer.

As per reports, FIFA has submitted a request to the US court to either defer UEFA's request or allow FIFA to contest it. This legal maneuver is part of FIFA's strategy to protect its interests in the ongoing dispute over the handling of the World Cup.

Details surrounding the controversy have also been referenced in judicial documents viewed by the Press Association, which indicate that UEFA's intentions may involve potential legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino for alleged 'criminal mismanagement'.

The unfolding situation reflects the increasing friction between the two governing bodies and highlights the complexities surrounding the governance and financial management of international football. Both organizations are now engaged in a legal battle that could set precedents for future interactions in the world of soccer.

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