Fifa calls Uefa legal threat smear campaign
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Fifa filed a US motion opposing Uefa's discovery requests, calling them a 'smear campaign'. The dispute stems from Uefa's threat of criminal proceedings against Infantino over the FFE plan.
Background
Uefa has been considering criminal proceedings against Fifa president Gianni Infantino over the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan, which caused uproar across football. Uefa filed four requests for subpoena in US courts seeking documents from Fifa and related parties, including Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital. Fifa has now responded in a US federal filing, calling Uefa's legal efforts a 'smear campaign' and requesting the court dismiss the discovery requests.
How it unfolded
- Aug 7, 2026The proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan caused uproar across football.
- Aug 27, 2026Uefa filed four separate requests for subpoena in different US courts, seeking discovery as it contemplated initiating criminal proceedings against Infantino.
- Sep 3, 2026Fifa filed a motion in US federal court opposing Uefa's discovery requests, calling them a 'smear campaign' and requesting permission to oppose by 30 September.
Who’s saying what
- Fifa
- Fifa argues Uefa's legal efforts are 'little more than press releases in further support of [a] smear campaign' and that Uefa lacks authority to initiate criminal proceedings due to arbitration clauses.
- Uefa
- Uefa has declined to comment, but insiders believe that if Fifa has nothing to hide, it should disclose the documents and speed up the legal process.
Still unverified
Uefa's stated intention to initiate criminal proceedings in Switzerland is not yet confirmed, and Fifa disputes Uefa's authority to do so.