FIFA accuses UEFA of running disinformation campaign

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has publicly accused the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) of spreading disinformation. According to FIFA, the European football governing body attempted to gain access to internal documents connected to a plan by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to sell part of the rights to the World Cup.

The core of the dispute

The accusation points to strained relations between the two major football governing organizations — the global body FIFA and its European counterpart UEFA. FIFA claims that UEFA's efforts to access sensitive documents regarding the rights-sale plan form part of a broader campaign allegedly aimed at misleading the public or swaying opinion on the matter.

Infantino's plan to sell part of the World Cup rights touches on a sensitive issue in world football, since these rights represent one of FIFA's most significant sources of revenue. Any change to the ownership or management structure of these rights could have a substantial impact on FIFA's finances as well as on its relationship with regional football associations, including UEFA.

It remains unclear how UEFA will respond to the accusations or what further steps may follow in the dispute. The conflict between the two organizations could affect their cooperation on other football governance matters going forward.