FIFA accuses European football chiefs of 'harassment' against Gianni Infantino

FIFA has accused European football chiefs of "harassment" against Gianni Infantino and trying to influence the presidential election by "spreading misinformation" against him over the World Cup venture.

The claims are made in a court filing in Miami by FIFA - which has been obtained by Sky News - seeking to block UEFA's request for all the evidence related to the attempt to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors.

FIFA's lawyers write: "UEFA's conduct demonstrates that its application was made in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment."

UEFA has sought all documents on the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme, saying it could pursue a case against Mr Infantino for criminal mismanagement, alleging he undersold the tournaments for personal financial benefit.

But FIFA's lawyers write: "With no basis whatsoever, UEFA suggests that Mr Infantino sought to profit personally from the FFE proposal.

"As explained, the FFE plan was subject to ⁠approval by both the FIFA member associations ⁠and FIFA Council, and FFE would have been subject to oversight by both groups within FIFA.

"UEFA's suggestions that Mr Infantino violated ‌any law or ethical principle are categorically without merit."

UEFA alleged Mr Infantino developed the proposal in secret with a small group of advisers and investors, ‌bypassing FIFA's normal governance processes and failing to consult FIFA's Council, regional confederations or member associations.

Referring to the charge of underselling the venture, world football's governing body accused UEFA of mixing up FFE's "equity value with enterprise value".

In documents seen by the Reuters news agency, FIFA claims that, in its approach to member nations, FFE's total enterprise value "meaning the 'entire value of the business' - ​was well over $30 billion".

"Indeed, FFE's enterprise value was well in excess of twice the equity value, and therefore far above the value ‌UEFA says would be fair," FIFA claims.

The crisis has erupted ahead of Mr Infantino's bid for re-election in March with UEFA withdrawing its support but not yet proposing a rival candidate ahead of the deadline in November.

FIFA's legal submission says: "Just before FIFA's election, UEFA filed this application (and three others) spreading misinformation regarding Mr Infantino. This Court should reject any attempt to influence FIFA's presidential election based on these grounds."

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FIFA is moving to protect Mr Infantino from the damaging fallout from the venture - with England, Scotland and Wales among football associations to withdraw letters of endorsement for re-election and UEFA saying it has lost confidence in his leadership.

Mr Infantino has now partly accepted a request for more of FIFA's reserves to be released.

Sky News revealed earlier this month that a letter was sent by UEFA and CONCACAF to Mr Infantino claiming FIFA's reserves are set to rise to $6bn - highlighting FIFA's financial strength despite its president claiming private equity was needed to fund football development.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani wrote to Mr Infantino suggesting FIFA already has the wealth to use $2.1bn of funds to provide extra cash for infrastructure and football development worldwide, so should give each country an extra $10m.

Ahead of a FIFA Council meeting, Mr Infantino wrote to members in a letter seen by Sky News last night: "I will not prejudge the amount. I will support the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered through FIFA's proper governance process, applied fairly and supported by transparent and auditable arrangements.

"The ambition is welcome. The financial evidence, governance and implementation must now support it."

(c) Sky News 2026: FIFA accuses European football chiefs of 'harassment' against Gianni Infantino