FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a smear campaign against president Gianni Infantino as UEFA seeks documents and testimony from US courts for a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland. The dispute centers on FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed commercial subsidiary that would have sold private investors about 20% of FIFA’s commercial and event operations for as much as $4.2 billion, implying a valuation near $20 billion. The business would have held broadcasting, licensing and ticketing rights for FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup. FIFA and Infantino scrapped the plan in late July after opposition from confederations and national associations. Thrive Capital, led by Joshua Kushner, was expected to lead an investor group including BANN Ventures CEO Greg Maffei; Kushner said Thrive regretted participating, while UEFA said Kushner and Thrive were not suspected of wrongdoing. UEFA alleges Infantino and other officials developed the plan without informing FIFA’s governing bodies and promoted an off-market valuation for personal benefit. FIFA is contesting the US requests, saying no Swiss criminal proceeding exists and UEFA cannot initiate one. The dispute is adding pressure on Infantino ahead of the March 2027 election, although African and South American confederations representing 64 associations continue to support him.