Key Takeaways
- FIFA claims UEFA is conducting a misinformation campaign to access documents related to Gianni Infantino’s World Cup plans.
- UEFA is leading opposition to Infantino, calling for his removal from the FIFA presidency.
- Infantino insists the abandoned proposal to sell World Cup commercial rights was intended to generate additional money for football.
FIFA has accused European football’s governing body UEFA of conducting a 'misinformation' campaign in its bid to access documents related to Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell off parts of the World Cup.
In a court case in Florida, FIFA stated that UEFA’s attempt to force the world body to hand over the documents is also an attempt to 'influence' next year’s FIFA presidential election.
Infantino, who caused uproar in July with proposals to create a commercial subsidiary to run its biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup, has now withdrawn these plans.
The backlash that followed led to the proposals being quickly shelved, but FIFA maintains that the abandoned proposal to sell off World Cup commercial rights was intended to generate additional money for football.
In a letter seen by AFP, Infantino indicated that a greater amount of money could be distributed to FIFA members from its cash reserves, suggesting a shift in financial strategy.
Infantino insisted that the abandoned proposal was intended to enable FIFA to invest more in football, stating, 'The recent commercial proposal, now withdrawn, was intended to enable FIFA to invest more in football.'
Despite the backlash, Infantino is not without support. 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia, as well as African football’s governing body CAF and South America’s CONMEBOL, have come out in support of him.
UEFA, home to World Cup holders Spain and football powerhouses such as France, England, and Germany, is leading the opposition to Infantino, calling openly for his removal.
FIFA confirmed this month that Infantino will stand again for president in the election next March, despite the backlash over his now-abandoned private investment plan.
