Fifa president Gianni Infantino has firmly rejected claims that European football's governing body, Uefa, made a payoff to a woman he allegedly had a relationship with during his time working there.
The allegations stem from an investigation by The Telegraph, which reported that Uefa handed a six-figure sum to a woman said to have had an affair with Infantino, who is married and has four children. According to the report, the payment was made during the period when Infantino served as Uefa's general secretary, a post he held from 2009 to 2016.
Infantino joined Uefa in 2000 and remained with the organisation for 16 years before departing to take over as Fifa president in February 2016, succeeding Sepp Blatter. The Telegraph's investigation further alleged that after the woman in question left her position, Uefa also covered the cost of an MBA programme for her at a business school.
Uefa has acknowledged that a severance payment was made but stopped short of confirming any connection to an affair. A Uefa spokesperson said: "We are aware of the allegations and can confirm 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. The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time."
The spokesperson added that the organisation's internal rules have since been revised, stating: "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."
For his part, Infantino has categorically denied any wrongdoing. A Fifa spokesperson, responding to The Telegraph, said: "Fifa president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory. No employee at Uefa and Fifa has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino's behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved. All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations."
The timing of these allegations adds further strain to Infantino's already turbulent tenure at the helm of world football's governing body. The Fifa president has recently come under intense scrutiny over a controversial proposal to sell stakes in the 2026 World Cup to private investors — a plan that sparked widespread backlash within the sport.
Infantino was ultimately compelled to abandon that scheme after Uefa threatened to boycott all Fifa-organised tournaments in protest. Despite the setback, he retained the support of Fifa's management board following an emergency meeting held in Morocco, after which he offered what was widely seen as a partial apology.
The combination of the World Cup investment controversy and the fresh allegations regarding his personal conduct has intensified calls from several national football associations for Infantino to step down. He is due to stand for re-election as Fifa president in March 2027, and despite mounting pressure, he has given no indication that he intends to resign, signalling instead his determination to continue in his role.
Based on reporting from The Independent and The Telegraph.