FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a smear campaign and a fishing expedition after European football's governing body asked US judges to compel it to release documents relating to its abandoned World Cup investment plan.

FIFA's controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to investors, unveiled in July, sparked widespread opposition across the football community. UEFA had threatened to boycott the tournament if the plan went ahead.

FIFA subsequently dropped the proposal following the backlash, but UEFA is now considering legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over alleged criminal mismanagement.

Last week, UEFA filed requests in three US states seeking access to documents linked to the investment plan from FIFA and its partners, including Thrive Capital, the firm founded by prospective lead investor Joshua Kushner.

UEFA said that if it succeeds in obtaining the documents, it plans to pursue a legal complaint in Switzerland, having received assurances that the case would meet the requirements for consideration by a Swiss court.

FIFA has now responded by asking US judges for permission to challenge UEFA's requests. FIFA argued that UEFA had no right to demand its internal documents because no criminal proceedings had been initiated in Switzerland or elsewhere.