FIFA president Gianni Infantino has dismissed reports from The Telegraph alleging that he engaged in an affair with a UEFA staff member and provided her with financial settlements during his time as the organization’s secretary general. The newspaper claims Infantino used his position to obtain a promotion for the individual and later facilitated a six-figure exit package alongside approximately £45,000 for her business school tuition.
UEFA confirmed that a departure payment and educational fees were indeed provided to the unnamed employee. However, the governing body stated that these actions followed the standard staff departure policies in effect at the time, noting that such internal regulations have been updated since 2016. Infantino, who has been married since 2001, issued a firm denial through a FIFA representative. The organization labeled the accusations as entirely false and defamatory, emphasizing that no formal complaints regarding his conduct have ever been filed by staff at either UEFA or FIFA.
These allegations emerge as Infantino navigates significant backlash following the collapse of a controversial plan to invite private investment into the World Cup. With his re-election campaign approaching in March, the FIFA leader faces persistent tension with UEFA, which has threatened to boycott the tournament despite the abandonment of the investment proposal.
