Fifa has accused Uefa of waging a 'misinformation campaign' against its president, Gianni Infantino, and of trying to influence the upcoming Fifa presidential election, according to multiple outlets.
The dispute stems from Uefa's request last month to a US federal court for permission to obtain testimony and documents, which it intends to use in a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland against Infantino, according to The Guardian. The complaint relates to an abandoned plan involving World Cup commercial rights.
Fifa's court filing denies claims that a related entity, referred to as FFE, was undervalued, according to The Guardian. BBC Sport reported that Fifa said Uefa's suggestions Infantino 'violated any law or ethical principle' are 'categorically without merit'.
Some outlets used different language to describe Fifa's accusation: Sky News and GB News reported Fifa accused European football chiefs of 'harassment' against Infantino, while other outlets framed the accusation primarily around 'misinformation'.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Guardian detailed Uefa's request to a US court for testimony and documents tied to a planned Swiss criminal complaint against Infantino.
- The Guardian reported Fifa's court filing denies claims that FFE was undervalued.
- Coverage centered on the abandoned plan to transfer World Cup commercial rights.
“Fifa accuses Uefa of ‘misinformation campaign’ against Gianni Infantino” — The Guardian
Center
- BBC Sport highlighted Fifa's statement that claims Infantino violated law or ethical principles are 'categorically without merit'.
- Arab News and others reported the dispute concerns documents related to Infantino's World Cup plans and the presidential election.
- Sky News used the term 'harassment' to describe Fifa's accusation against European football chiefs.
- Multiple outlets (Straits Times, CNA, Reuters) used near-identical wording, indicating wire-service framing of the 'misinformation campaign' accusation.
“Uefa's suggestions that Fifa president Gianni Infantino "violated any law or ethical principle are categorically without merit"” — BBC Sport
Right
- GB News framed the story around Fifa accusing Uefa of 'harassment' in the Infantino row.
- Coverage connected the harassment accusation to the abandoned World Cup deal.
“FIFA accuses UEFA of ‘harassment’ in Gianni Infantino row over abandoned World Cup deal” — GB News
Questions readers ask
What happened between Fifa and Uefa?
Fifa accused Uefa of running a 'misinformation campaign' and trying to influence its presidential election, after Uefa sought a US court's permission to gather documents and testimony for a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland against Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
What is the underlying dispute about?
According to The Guardian, the dispute concerns an abandoned plan to transfer World Cup commercial rights, and Fifa's court filing denies claims that a related entity, FFE, was undervalued.
Why does this matter?
The accusations come amid an upcoming Fifa presidential election, and involve allegations that could lead to a criminal complaint against Fifa president Gianni Infantino in Switzerland.
Did outlets describe the accusation differently?
Yes. Most outlets reported Fifa accused Uefa of a 'misinformation campaign', while Sky News and GB News reported the accusation was framed around 'harassment' of Gianni Infantino.
What happens next?
The sources do not specify next steps, though Uefa's request for a US court's permission to obtain documents and testimony remains pending as part of its planned criminal complaint against Infantino.
Sources · 14 outlet reports
- The GuardianLeft-leaningFifa accuses Uefa of ‘misinformation campaign’ against Gianni Infantino
- The MirrorLeft-leaningFIFA respond to UEFA accusations as Gianni Infantino row takes new twist
- Arab NewsCenterFIFA accuses UEFA of ‘misinformation’ campaign in bid for World Cup papers
- BBC SportCenterFifa accuses Uefa of 'misinformation campaign'
- CNACenterFIFA accuses UEFA of 'misinformation campaign' in response to filing
- France 24CenterFIFA accuses UEFA of 'misinformation campaign' in bid for World Cup papers
- ReutersCenterFIFA accuses UEFA of 'misinformation campaign' in response to filing
- RTÉ NewsCenterFIFA hits out at UEFA over 'misleading statements'
- Sky NewsCenterFIFA accuses European football chiefs of 'harassment' against Gianni Infantino
- The Straits TimesCenterFIFA accuses UEFA of ‘misinformation campaign’ in response to filing
- Yahoo SportsCenterFifa accuses Uefa of 'misinformation campaign'
- Fox SportsRight-leaningFIFA claims harassment of Infantino by European soccer body UEFA in filing to Florida court
- GB NewsRight-leaningFIFA accuses UEFA of ‘harassment’ in Gianni Infantino row over abandoned World Cup deal
- The TimesRight-leaningFifa refuses to release files and accuses Uefa of ‘harrassing’ Gianni Infantino