FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a ‘discrediting campaign’ following UEFA’s court requests for access to documents related to President Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
UEFA has filed a lawsuit in U.S. courts to obtain evidence and documentation linked to ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ (FFE), the company that was supposed to manage the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments. FIFA revealed that the plan included selling a 20% stake in the FFE to private investors, but Infantino withdrew the proposal on August 1, in light of opposition from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF.
Despite the withdrawal of the plan, UEFA continues to investigate Infantino and other FIFA officials. Documents obtained indicate that UEFA is preparing possible criminal proceedings in Switzerland. FIFA has requested the Southern District Court of Florida to allow it to oppose UEFA’s request and has until September 28 to submit a complete appeal.
FIFA’s documents describe UEFA’s requests as ‘press releases that further reinforce UEFA’s discrediting campaign against FIFA and its officials.’ In its filing, FIFA requested that the review of UEFA’s request be postponed until the matter in Florida is resolved.
FIFA argued that UEFA’s motivation for opposing the FFE plan is to prevent smaller federations from gaining the financial strength necessary to compete with larger European clubs. According to FIFA, ‘if football is strengthened in developing countries, global competition increases, thereby reducing UEFA’s market power.’
For its part, UEFA has accused Infantino of ‘criminal mismanagement’ concerning the FFE, stating that the proposed sale of a stake valued at $4.2 billion was ‘an out-of-market and fraudulent price promoted by Infantino for his personal benefit.’ Furthermore, UEFA has called for an external review of the origins of the FFE and warned that if Infantino runs for re-election at the next FIFA Congress, it will join forces with other confederations to offer a credible alternative that promotes integrity and football development.
Source: www.infobae.com
