FIFA has accused UEFA of launching a smear campaign against its president Gianni Infantino, with the claim forming the latest flare-up in a long-running dispute between the two governing bodies.
In a formal statement, FIFA said it believed a campaign to undermine Infantino’s reputation had been orchestrated by UEFA, the European confederation led by Aleksander Čeferin. The organisation did not provide further detail beyond describing the allegations as a tactic aimed at destabilising leadership at FIFA.
UEFA swiftly rejected the accusations, insisting it does not engage in smear campaigns and urging a return to constructive dialogue between the two bodies.
The row sits within a broader backdrop of tensions over governance and scheduling reforms, including FIFA’s push for changes to the international match calendar and proposals to revamp world club competition formats.
Analysts say the public exchange signals strategic positioning as Infantino presses forward with his reform agenda, which has drawn opposition from various quarters within European football.
The parties have clashed publicly on multiple occasions in recent years, and the latest comments underscore the enduring rift between FIFA and UEFA over who controls the trajectory of the sport.
There has been no immediate confirmation of any formal investigation or action arising from the dispute, according to the statements issued by the organisations involved.
