FIFA accuses UEFA of ‘smear campaign’

FIFA accused European football body UEFA of a “smear campaign” in a court filing on Thursday concerning FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions.

Last week, UEFA filed requests for discovery of evidence connected to Infantino’s proposal in three US courts. “While these applications are styled as legal pleadings with captions and docket numbers, they are little more than press releases in further support of UEFA’s smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership,” FIFA said in a filing in US District Court.

FIFA’s filing in Colorado on Thursday was a motion to intervene, asking that the discovery process be deferred or dropped.