Fifa has accused Uefa of orchestrating a "smear campaign" against its president, Gianni Infantino, and the global football governing body itself. The accusation comes as part of a legal challenge in the United States concerning a now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

Last week, Uefa, European football's governing body, filed legal papers in the US seeking evidence and documents from Fifa. These documents were intended for potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland, where Uefa had accused Infantino of criminal mismanagement and promoting a "fraudulently off-market price" for his own benefit regarding the "Fifa Forward Enterprise" (FFE) scheme.

In a significant escalation of the controversy, Fifa has now responded with its own court filings in the US. Fifa is requesting that the court defer or oppose Uefa's access to documents by the end of the month. Fifa argues that Uefa's legal argument is fundamentally flawed and suffers from "legal deficiencies," stating that Uefa is seeking evidence for a foreign criminal proceeding that "does not exist" and which Uefa "admittedly lacks the authority to initiate."

Fifa asserts that the FFE was merely a proposal that could only have proceeded with the support of a majority of member associations and Fifa Council approval. Instead of engaging in this democratic process, Fifa claims Uefa issued a press release, marking the "beginning of a weeks-long smear campaign against Fifa and its leadership."

Fifa also suggested that Uefa's economic motivation was to prevent smaller countries from developing the financial strength to compete with European elite clubs. According to Fifa, strengthening soccer in developing nations would increase global competition, potentially reducing Uefa's market power and offering more competition for its major tournaments. The FFE scheme, Fifa contends, would have allowed smaller member associations to better develop football, leading to more players representing their home countries and playing in domestic leagues.

Uefa has declined to comment on Fifa's accusations. However, sources close to Uefa reportedly believe that Fifa should disclose the documents and expedite the legal process if it has nothing to hide. Infantino, who became Fifa president in 2016, is facing calls to step down from three confederations, and Uefa has been a leading voice in the opposition against him.

Uefa had previously asked a court in New York to approve the disclosure of documents related to the FFE scheme. The controversy highlights a deep division and power struggle between Fifa and Uefa over the future direction and financial structures of international football.

This legal battle unfolds against a backdrop of other recent developments, including statements from Kushner expressing regret over the World Cup sell-off plan and Uefa's preparation for criminal legal action against Infantino. The situation raises questions about governance, transparency, and the balance of power within global football.