UEFA confirms payout to ex-employee under Infantino, amid denials of an affair

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing renewed scrutiny over a six-figure departure payment made to a former employee during his tenure as general secretary at UEFA, from 2009 to 2016. The payment, confirmed by UEFA, comes amid reports suggesting the payout was linked to an alleged affair between Infantino and the woman. However, Infantino and FIFA have denied such claims, calling them false and defamatory. A FIFA spokesperson stated, “These allegations are categorically untrue,” and emphasized that any suggestion of inappropriate conduct violates the organization’s statutes. The controversy emerged following a report by The Telegraph, which cited multiple anonymous sources claiming that Infantino had a relationship with a junior employee during his time at UEFA. According to the report, the woman was promoted to a more lucrative managerial role and later received a payment upon leaving the organization. Additionally, UEFA allegedly covered the cost of her MBA course at a local business school. The report did not name the individual involved. UEFA confirmed the payment in a statement to CNN, acknowledging that it was in line with the regulations in place at the time. The organization noted that internal rules have since been updated to align with stricter standards applicable to all employees. “Such regulations have been tightened since 2016,” UEFA said, adding that current policies reflect those of a modern, high-profile organization. The allegations have intensified tensions within global football governance. Since the leak of FIFA’s controversial plan to sell partial commercial and operational rights to the World Cup, plans that were ultimately abandoned, UEFA has openly criticized Infantino’s leadership. The organization has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, and expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino’s management. This latest incident adds fuel to the growing rift between UEFA and FIFA. FIFA responded swiftly, issuing a statement condemning efforts to undermine its governance structure. The organization accused unnamed parties of attempting to bypass its statutes and democratic procedures. “It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its President,” the statement said. FIFA reiterated its commitment to legitimate scrutiny but warned against spreading misinformation or distorting facts. The organization pledged to challenge inaccurate reporting directly and vigorously. Senior FIFA officials have publicly supported Infantino following a recent crisis meeting, signaling unity within the leadership. Nevertheless, UEFA has maintained its stance, doubling down on its threat to boycott future World Cups unless assurances are given that similar incidents will not occur. If UEFA follows through, the impact could be severe, as six of the current top 10 teams in both men’s and women’s soccer would be excluded from the competition. Meanwhile, FIFPRO, the players’ union, has also voiced concerns, stating that its confidence in FIFA’s leadership has been fundamentally damaged. The union’s criticism underscores broader dissatisfaction with FIFA’s governance and transparency, particularly in light of ongoing controversies involving Infantino. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on whether the allegations against Infantino can be substantiated. While UEFA has confirmed the payment, it has not disclosed the identity of the individual involved or provide further details. The lack of transparency continues to raise questions about accountability and ethical standards within FIFA’s leadership. For now, the dispute remains unresolved, with both organizations locked in a battle over credibility and control.