FIFA has issued a statement defending Gianni Infantino against reports regarding a past severance payment at UEFA and broader criticism of his leadership.
Key facts
- •FIFA characterized the recent allegations as "unsubstantiated assertions" and "demonstrably false claims."
- •The Daily Telegraph reported that a woman received a six-figure sum from UEFA following an alleged relationship with Infantino.
- •Infantino served at UEFA for 16 years before being elected as the president of FIFA.
- •UEFA has stated that it has not received sufficient assurances that the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal will not be revived.
- •The 54 nations of the Confederation of African Football have unanimously expressed their support for Infantino.
FIFA has publicly defended its president, Gianni Infantino, against what it described as a "concerted and ongoing effort" to undermine his leadership. The statement followed a report by The Daily Telegraph alleging that a former UEFA staffer received a six-figure severance payment after an alleged affair with Infantino during his tenure as UEFA general secretary. FIFA stated that Infantino "strongly denies" these allegations, labeling them "categorically untrue."
By the numbers
UEFA Response to Allegations
UEFA confirmed that the exit payment made to the staffer was consistent with the regulations in place at the time of her departure. However, the organization noted that its internal rules have been tightened since 2016 to align with modern standards for high-profile organizations. Reports indicate that senior UEFA figures are considering an investigation into Infantino’s 16-year tenure at the governing body to determine if the alleged relationship influenced any professional decision-making.
Broader Opposition and Support
Infantino faces significant pressure from European football associations, largely stemming from his now-aborted proposal to sell a portion of FIFA’s commercial and ticketing rights to a private investment firm. UEFA has expressed a loss of confidence in his leadership and has kept the possibility of a boycott of FIFA events on the table. Conversely, Infantino retains support from the Confederation of African Football and the South American governing body, CONMEBOL, while the Mexican Football Federation has also voiced its backing.
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