UEFA has confirmed the payment of a severance package to Gianni Infantino's "girlfriend"

The European Football Union (UEFA) has confirmed the payment of a severance package to a former employee linked to Gianni Infantino, the current president of FIFA and former head of UEFA. The confirmation comes amid media reports, notably from the British tabloid Daily Telegraph, which alleged the woman had a relationship with Infantino. The payments were made before her departure several years ago, according to UEFA's statement. The Telegraph reported that the woman received a six-figure payout. UEFA acknowledged the media coverage and stated that the severance was indeed paid to the individual in question. A representative of the organization noted that the woman also received funding for an MBA program at one of the local educational institutions. Infantino served at UEFA from 2000 until February 2016, when he became president of FIFA. From 2009 until his move to FIFA, he held the position of general secretary. In September 2016, Slovenian national Aleksander Čeferin took over leadership of UEFA. UEFA explained that the payment was made in accordance with the regulations in place at the time regarding severance packages. It added that since 2016, rules related to such matters have been updated and the current policies governing employees at all levels align with those found in advanced economic enterprises. The media reports about the severance payment emerged during a period of pressure on Infantino due to a controversial proposal to sell shares in the commercial rights of FIFA competitions. The proposal was withdrawn under significant pressure from FIFA members, including UEFA. However, Infantino is now facing demands for his resignation. A spokesperson for FIFA strongly denied the claims regarding Infantino’s relationship with the employee. “President of FIFA Gianni Infantino denies these allegations, as they are entirely false,” the spokesperson said. They added that no employees at UEFA or FIFA have ever filed complaints against Infantino, stating that he has never been involved in any wrongdoing. “All decisions made by the organizations concerning employees, including departures and severance packages, have always been approved by directors responsible for this area based on existing regulations,” the spokesperson emphasized. Infantino’s tenure at UEFA spanned more than a decade, during which he rose through the ranks to become general secretary before moving to FIFA. His role at UEFA included overseeing administrative functions and representing the organization internationally. Under his leadership, UEFA implemented several reforms aimed at modernizing football governance and increasing transparency. However, his time at the organization was marked by controversy, particularly around financial dealings and ethical concerns raised by critics. The recent revelations about the severance payment come at a sensitive time for Infantino, who faces scrutiny over his management of FIFA. The proposed sale of commercial rights sparked debate among member associations, with some arguing it could undermine the integrity of the sport. Despite retracting the proposal, Infantino continues to face calls for accountability from various stakeholders within world football. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between FIFA leadership and its member nations, particularly regarding financial transparency and governance practices. The confirmation by UEFA adds another layer to the scrutiny surrounding Infantino’s career trajectory. While the organization maintains that its actions were in compliance with internal regulations, questions remain about the broader implications of such payments and their potential influence on decision-making processes. As investigations into FIFA continue, the focus will likely shift toward whether these disclosures affect the credibility of the organization’s leadership and its ability to address systemic issues effectively.