UEFA Confirms Six-Figure Payout to Former Employee Amid Allegations Involving FIFA President Gianni Infantino
UEFA has confirmed that a former employee received a departure payment and funding for an MBA course during Gianni Infantino’s tenure as the organisation’s general secretary, following allegations that the employee had been involved in a relationship with the current FIFA president.
Infantino has strongly denied the allegations, describing claims that the payment was connected to an inappropriate relationship as “categorically untrue.”
The controversy follows a report by The Telegraph, which alleged that UEFA paid a six-figure settlement to a woman described as an alleged former mistress of Infantino after she left the organisation.
According to the report, Infantino served as UEFA general secretary from 2009 to 2016. The newspaper, citing anonymous sources, alleged that he had a relationship with a junior employee who was subsequently promoted to a more senior and lucrative managerial position before receiving a departure payment.
The report also alleged that UEFA covered the woman’s MBA tuition at a local business school.
UEFA confirmed that the former employee received both a departure payment and funding for an MBA course, but stressed that the arrangement complied with the staff regulations in place at the time.
“Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations—which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level—reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation,” UEFA said.
A FIFA spokesperson, meanwhile, rejected the allegations against Infantino.
“Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue,” the spokesperson said.
“Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.”
The allegations come at a difficult time for Infantino and FIFA, with the governing body facing growing criticism over its leadership and plans concerning the commercial and operational rights of the World Cup.
UEFA has publicly expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership and has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cup, unless concerns surrounding FIFA’s decision-making are addressed.
A UEFA boycott could have a significant impact on FIFA competitions, with several of the world’s leading football nations belonging to the European governing body.
Players’ union FIFPRO has also said that its confidence in FIFA’s leadership “has now been fundamentally broken.”
Despite the growing pressure, South American football governing body CONMEBOL has declined to support an extraordinary congress aimed at challenging Infantino, choosing instead to follow the established timeline for the next FIFA presidential election.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also continued to support Infantino.
The latest allegations are expected to add further scrutiny to Infantino as he prepares for his next FIFA presidential election campaign.
