FIFA has accused UEFA of harassing its president, Gianni Infantino, as a legal dispute between the two football bodies grows.
FIFA lawyers made the accusation in a Florida court filing on Monday.
The filing asks a judge to reject UEFA’s request for evidence linked to a controversial FIFA investment plan.
UEFA wants the evidence as it prepares a possible criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland.
FIFA rejects the allegations.
FIFA accuses UEFA of harassment
FIFA lawyers said UEFA had acted in “bad faith.”
They also accused the European football body of using the legal process to harass Infantino.
The dispute centres on the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, known as FFE.
Under the plan, FIFA would have created a new company. It then planned to sell at least 20% of its future commercial rights to private investors.
The proposed deal valued the stake at $4.2 billion.
However, the plan faced strong opposition. FIFA dropped it within days after it became public in July.
UEFA seeks evidence over FIFA plan
UEFA later went to three courts to seek evidence about the project.
Its legal efforts include cases involving Josh Kushner’s investment firm in New York and FIFA’s office base in Miami.
UEFA is gathering evidence for a possible criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland.
In earlier court filings, UEFA alleged that the deal was offered at an unfair price. It also alleged that Infantino could have benefited personally.
However, FIFA denies those claims.
FIFA lawyers said Infantino did not seek a personal financial interest in the project.
Dispute comes before FIFA election
The legal dispute comes months before FIFA’s presidential election.
The election will take place next March in Morocco.
Potential candidates have until November 18 to enter the race.
Infantino plans to seek a fourth and final term. A new term would keep him in office until 2031.
FIFA lawyers also raised concerns about the timing of UEFA’s legal action.
They argued that the case should not influence the presidential election.
Meanwhile, UEFA is preparing an election challenge to Infantino, according to the Associated Press.
Investment plan caused divisions
The FFE project also caused divisions inside FIFA.
Media reports first revealed the plan on July 28.
FIFA’s former chief operating officer Kevin Lamour later criticised Infantino’s leadership.
Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro also resigned. He said the proposed deal was bad for football.
Infantino later apologised for mistakes in how FIFA handled the plan.
In addition, he offered to open an independent external review of FIFA’s governance.
FIFA says the project was designed to support football development around the world.
However, the legal dispute with UEFA continues ahead of next year’s presidential election.