The media refuse to let FIFA president Gianni Infantino rest at the minute. He’s now having to address reports of payments made during his time with UEFA from the organization to an alleged former lover.
Gianni Infantino’s name has remained in the headlines even after the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end. The leaked plans to sell stakes in their biggest competitions to private investors created a lot of noise.
While the organisation is reportedly going to roll back the plan, the damage to Infantino has already been done. He is up for re-election as FIFA president in 2027, and has been rapidly losing support.
Things are now going from bad to worse for the Swiss executive. Reports are emerging related to his personal life from his time with UEFA, and it has become another fire for him to put out.
UEFA apparently made six-figure payments to Gianni Infantino’s alleged mistress
Before he got the top job at FIFA, Infantino was the General Secretary of UEFA from 2009 to 2016. And during this time, the reports say that an alleged relationship of his cost the organisation some money.
The Daily Telegraph dropped the bombshell story on Friday night. According to their investigation, UEFA have admitted that payments were made, but that it was ‘in line’ with existing regulations at the time.
“UEFA paid off an alleged lover of Gianni Infantino while he was its general secretary,” the report says. “The woman received a six-figure sum after the alleged relationship with Mr Infantino while he was a top official at European football’s governing body.
“She is alleged to have been promoted by Mr Infantino during their relationship. After she left, the football body is said to have paid for her to do an MBA at a business school.
“In a statement on Friday night, UEFA admitted that a payment had been made and that it was aware of the allegations the woman was in a relationship with Mr Infantino. It said it had since ‘tightened’ its regulations to ‘reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation’.”
This is a bad look for Infantino, but these allegations have already been denied. A spokesperson from FIFA made the president’s stance on the matter quite clear.
Gianni Infantino categorically denies allegations, calls them defamatory
With the spotlight so firmly on him, it’s not surprising to see stories like this coming out. But Infantino is prepared to deal with this one, he has unequivocally denied all of it.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
“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 statement also stated that there have been no concerns over Infantino’s conduct during his time with either organisation. Whether the report alone is enough to cause damage, remains to be seen.
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