FIFA has accused European football chiefs of “harassment” against president Gianni Infantino in a court filing in Miami, Sky News reported on September 29. FIFA is seeking to block UEFA’s request for evidence linked to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme, under which Infantino proposed selling World Cup commercial rights to private investors.

UEFA wants documents for a potential criminal mismanagement case in Switzerland, alleging Infantino undersold tournaments for personal benefit — claims FIFA rejects. The row has erupted ahead of Infantino’s re-election bid in March, with UEFA withdrawing its support but not yet backing a rival.

FIFA’s lawyers say UEFA’s applications were made “in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment” to influence the election. Infantino denies wrongdoing and has not been charged. UEFA has withdrawn its support for Infantino’s re-election but has not yet proposed a rival candidate ahead of the November deadline. The dispute centres on the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which Infantino withdrew on August 1 after a backlash.