FIFA accuses UEFA of launching 'smear campaign' against Gianni Infantino

What the report says

FIFA has accused UEFA of running a smear campaign against its president, Gianni Infantino, as part of a legal challenge linked to the abandoned plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors. According to Sky News World, the dispute centers on Infantino’s role in the wider controversy around football governance and the handling of that proposed deal.

The development adds another layer to the long-running tensions between FIFA and UEFA, two of the sport’s most powerful governing bodies. The claim suggests FIFA is pushing back against criticism tied to decisions made under Infantino’s leadership, while UEFA is being associated with efforts to challenge those actions through legal means.

The reported conflict matters because it reflects deeper divisions over influence, transparency and commercial control in international football. The World Cup remains FIFA’s flagship competition, and any attempt to alter its ownership or investment structure is likely to draw close scrutiny from football officials, regulators and supporters.

While the source text is limited, the broader background is that disputes between FIFA and UEFA have often involved governance, competition control and the political balance of power in the sport. Sky News World reports the accusation; 256 Newsroom has not independently verified the underlying claims.