FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly denied allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a former UEFA employee after reports linked him to a six-figure departure payment made to the woman during his time at European football’s governing body.
UEFA confirmed that the former employee received a departure payment and funding for an MBA course, but maintained that the arrangement complied with its staff regulations in force at the time.
The allegations were first reported by The Telegraph, which cited multiple anonymous sources claiming that Infantino had a relationship with a junior employee while serving as UEFA general secretary between 2009 and 2016.
According to the report, the woman was subsequently promoted to a more lucrative managerial position before receiving a financial settlement when she left UEFA.
FIFA has categorically rejected allegations that Infantino engaged in an inappropriate relationship with the employee.
“Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
UEFA, meanwhile, acknowledged that money was paid to the former employee when she left the organisation.
“A departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for an MBA course at a local business school,” UEFA said.
However, the European governing body said the payment complied with the rules applicable to departing employees at the time.
UEFA added that its internal regulations have since been strengthened.
“The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time. Such regulations have been tightened since 2016.”
UEFA said its current rules apply to employees at every level and reflect standards expected within a modern international organisation.
The latest allegations emerge at a particularly difficult period for Infantino as he faces mounting scrutiny over his leadership of FIFA.
The organisation recently abandoned a controversial proposal involving private investment in FIFA’s World Cup commercial operations following widespread opposition.
Although the proposal was eventually withdrawn, the controversy triggered a significant breakdown in relations between FIFA and some major football organisations.
UEFA has publicly declared that it has lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership and maintained a threat to boycott FIFA competitions, including future men’s and women’s World Cups.
The dispute has also drawn criticism from global players’ union FIFPRO, which said its confidence in FIFA’s leadership had been “fundamentally broken.”
Infantino has nevertheless retained backing from other parts of world football.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has maintained its support for the FIFA president, while South American governing body CONMEBOL declined to support efforts for an extraordinary congress to challenge his leadership, instead favouring the established timetable for FIFA’s next presidential election.
Senior FIFA officials have also expressed support for Infantino following a crisis meeting.
The latest allegations, however, add another layer of controversy as Infantino prepares for his next re-election campaign, with divisions over his leadership continuing across international football.
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