
5 days · 4 summary articles
FIFA issued a statement on Saturday defending President Gianni Infantino against what it called a “concerted and ongoing effort” to undermine his leadership, following reports that UEFA made a six-figure exit payment to a female employee alleged to have had a relationship with him during his tenure as UEFA general secretary.
The statement, published on X, asserted that “it is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president.” It added that “those who do not have the support of FIFA’s member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA’s established democratic processes.” FIFA also claimed recent reporting contained “unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims” and warned that “speculation and insinuation should not be presented as facts, and repetition does not make an allegation true.”
The allegations stem from a Friday report by The Daily Telegraph, which claimed Infantino, while UEFA general secretary from 2009 to 2016, secured promotions for a woman with whom he allegedly had an intimate relationship and later approved a six-figure severance package, including approximately €50,000 for an MBA program. UEFA confirmed to multiple outlets that a payment was made but stated it complied with regulations in place at the time and that current rules have since been tightened .
Infantino has categorically denied the affair allegations . UEFA, which has maintained its threat to boycott World Cups over separate disputes, is now considering an investigation into the payments and personnel decisions made during Infantino’s time at the organization .
The latest controversy follows weeks of criticism over Infantino’s now-abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors, a proposal that triggered widespread opposition, including from UEFA . FIFA’s statement emphasized that Infantino was democratically elected by member associations and that challenges to his leadership must adhere to the body’s statutes and procedures.
Javier Tebas, president of Spain’s La Liga, told Le Monde that “the Infantino era is over” . Meanwhile, FIFA reiterated its welcome for “legitimate critical scrutiny” but condemned what it described as distortions and misinformation.
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