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, also known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise [FFE] proposal,
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."
The crisis has erupted ahead of Mr Infantino's bid for re-election in March 2027 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."
UEFA has said it has lost confidence in Infantino despite the abandonment of FFE and is seeking to put forward a credible alternative candidate to challenge him in next year's presidential election.
FIFA's filing questions the timing of UEFA's legal application, pointing out that the deadline for submitting candidates is November 18.
"This court should reject any attempt to influence FIFA's presidential election based on these grounds," the filings state.
Infantino will stand for election for a fourth time in March 2027, with opponents now seeking to find an alternative candidate.
(c) Sky Sports 2026: Gianni Infantino: FIFA accuses European football chiefs of 'harassment' against world governing body's president
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