FIFA has described legal applications filed by UEFA in U.S. courts seeking access to documents related to the governing body’s controversial private investment plan as part of a “smear campaign” against FIFA.
UEFA is seeking court-ordered discovery of evidence and documents linked to FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a private company that was envisioned as the vehicle for operating the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.
FIFA confirmed last month that the plan called for private investors to acquire a 20% stake in FFE. FIFA President Gianni Infantino abandoned the proposal on Aug. 1 following opposition from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, which represents football associations across North and Central America and the Caribbean.
That withdrawal has not stopped UEFA from pursuing Infantino and other FIFA officials, with UEFA saying the documents it obtained were intended for use in preparing potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland, according to filings seen by the Press Association on Aug. 27.
The following day, FIFA sought permission to oppose UEFA’s request in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The motion was granted by the court on the next business day, Aug. 31. FIFA has until Sept. 28 to submit a full opposition to the court.
