FIFA and UEFA are embroiled in a legal dispute that has reached a US court, where FIFA has accused the European soccer body of conducting a smear campaign against the global governing body and its president, Gianni Infantino.
The conflict follows the abandonment of a $20 billion proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors. Infantino, who is up for reelection for a fourth term in March 2027, has faced criticism since tabling the now-scrapped plan.
UEFA is currently seeking permission from the US court to collect testimony and documents to be used in potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland. FIFA's attorneys have hit back at the request for discovery, describing UEFA's legal efforts as little more than press releases intended to support a smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership.
In a recent federal filing, FIFA asked the judge to dismiss the request. FIFA US, a subsidiary business unit, has requested to officially oppose the discovery request by September 30, asking the court to either defer the matter or allow the opposition to proceed.