FIFA accuses UEFA of 'smear campaign' against Infantino

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is preparing a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Swiss courts. This action is a response to Infantino's failed plan to sell a stake in World Cup revenues to investors, including Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital, for $4.2 billion. UEFA's lawyers have characterized the proposed sale as a “fraudulently off-market price,” raising concerns about the legitimacy and valuation of the deal. Infantino, who became FIFA president in 2016, was expected to improve the organization’s reputation following the corruption scandals of his predecessor, Sepp Blatter. In addition to the criminal complaint, UEFA is seeking documents from a U.S. court that may be relevant to their case against Infantino. This indicates that UEFA is taking a comprehensive approach to gather evidence and build a strong case in the Swiss courts. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between UEFA and FIFA, particularly regarding financial dealings and governance in international football. Aleksander Ceferin, president of UEFA, has called for Infantino to either resign or face a leadership challenge in March, although Ceferin has stated he will not run against Infantino. UEFA is reportedly set to withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments, following assurances that Infantino’s plan to partially privatize football tournaments will not be revived. This decision comes as UEFA's member federations are expected to formally end the boycott threat during their upcoming meeting in Monaco, ahead of the Champions League draw. The boycott threat was initially announced in late July, when UEFA stated that its 55 member associations would refrain from participating in FIFA competitions as long as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal remained active. The upcoming meeting in Monaco is crucial, as it will allow UEFA to officially lift the boycott threat. This resolution is significant for both UEFA and FIFA, impacting the organization of international tournaments and the broader football community. The Under-20 Women's World Cup is scheduled to be hosted by Poland next month, making the timing of this decision particularly relevant for upcoming FIFA events. The lifting of the boycott threat may help foster a more collaborative relationship between UEFA and FIFA moving forward.