The confrontation between FIFA and UEFA is escalating. After the European football federation announced its intention to pursue legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the global football organization responded with counter-accusations, writes The Athletic.
FIFA stated that UEFA is conducting a "smear campaign" against the organization and its leadership. A document filed in a New York court claims that the European organization's statements are an attempt to publicly discredit FIFA and Infantino.
The cause of the conflict was Infantino's failed plan to attract investors. Through the FIFA Forward Enterprise, he wanted to sell 20% of the commercial rights and activities related to the organization of FIFA tournaments to the American investment fund Thrive Eternal for $4.2 billion.
UEFA opposed this deal, calling the valuation of the stake "absurdly low." The European organization also expressed suspicions that Infantino was promoting the project for personal gain. UEFA is now considering initiating criminal proceedings against the Swiss.
FIFA, in turn, claims that UEFA deliberately tried to disrupt the deal and even threatened a boycott of future FIFA tournaments by European national teams.
According to FIFA, the conflict is based not only on disputes around the deal but also on economic interests. It is argued that additional funding for smaller footballing nations could strengthen their competition with European giants and, as FIFA claims, weaken UEFA's influence.
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