For this reason, FIFA accuses UEFA of launching a "disinformation campaign."

FIFA added in its memorandum submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, opposing UEFA's request for evidence disclosure: "Without any basis, UEFA suggests that Mr. Infantino sought personal gain from the FIFA Forward Enterprises proposal."

It continued: "As we have explained, the FIFA Forward Enterprises plan required the approval of FIFA's member associations and the FIFA Council, and the company would be subject to oversight by both bodies within FIFA."

It further stated: "UEFA's claims that Mr. Infantino violated any law or ethical principle are baseless allegations."

Valuation of "FIFA Forward Enterprises"

UEFA alleged that Infantino prepared the proposal secretly with a small group of advisors and investors, bypassing FIFA's usual governance procedures, and without consulting the FIFA Council or the continental associations or members.

UEFA's request, which Reuters reviewed, included a request from the U.S. court to access documents from FIFA's Americas and the 2026 World Cup U.S. company, both of which are FIFA subsidiaries located in Florida.

UEFA noted in the legal documents that investors were set to invest $4.2 billion for a stake in "FIFA Forward Enterprises," valuing the company at around $20 billion.

It added that this valuation significantly undervalues FIFA's commercial rights, claiming it had not undergone a public auction or evaluation by an independent expert.

FIFA stated: "UEFA is conflating, either intentionally or out of ignorance, the value of equity rights with the value of the entity."

It continued: "There is no doubt that the 'initial equity valuation' of FIFA Forward Enterprises, i.e., 'the remaining value to shareholders after all debts are paid,' was $20 billion."

It added: "Documents distributed to FIFA's member associations reveal that the total 'entity value' of FIFA Forward Enterprises — i.e., 'the full value of the business' — far exceeded $30 billion."

It concluded: "In fact, the 'entity value' of FIFA Forward Enterprises was significantly more than double the equity value, and thus much higher than the value UEFA claims would be fair."

Attempt to influence the elections?

The FIFA Forward Enterprises project was abandoned last July after facing opposition from continental associations, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, due to a lack of consultation, leading to increased calls for changes in FIFA governance.

Last week, Infantino sent a message to all 211 member associations, indicating a proposal for an independent review of FIFA's decision-making processes.

The Swiss official is preparing to run for re-election in the FIFA presidency in March next year, and FIFA claims that UEFA's lawsuits were an attempt to influence the elections.

FIFA stated: "Just before the elections, UEFA submitted this request number 1782 (along with three other requests) to disseminate misleading information about Mr. Infantino."

It added: "This court must reject any attempt to influence the FIFA presidential elections based on these grounds."