Fifa president Gianni Infantino is facing renewed scrutiny after a report alleged that Uefa made a substantial severance payment to a woman who was reportedly involved in a relationship with him while he was the organisation’s general secretary.
The claims were published by The Daily Telegraph as Infantino faces mounting pressure over his leadership of world football following the collapse of plans to bring private investment into the World Cup.
Infantino has strongly rejected the allegations, with a spokesperson describing them as categorically untrue and denying any suggestion of inappropriate conduct.
Uefa Confirms Payment Was Made
Uefa has confirmed that a departure payment was made to the woman at the centre of the report.
The organisation said the payment also covered fees associated with her MBA studies at a local business school.
According to Uefa, the financial arrangement complied with the rules and regulations that were in place at the time.
The governing body added that its rules have since been strengthened and now reflect standards expected of a modern, high-profile organisation.
Infantino Strongly Denies Allegations
A spokesperson for the Fifa president told The Telegraph that Infantino completely rejected the claims.
The spokesperson said there had never been a complaint from an employee at either Uefa or Fifa concerning Infantino’s alleged behaviour, arguing that no incident involving him had taken place.
The statement also described suggestions of inappropriate conduct or breaches of regulations as defamatory.
BBC Sport has contacted both Fifa and Infantino for comment.
Claims Add to Growing Leadership Crisis
The allegations come at a particularly difficult moment for Infantino, who is already facing calls to leave his position as Fifa president.
His leadership has been challenged following controversial plans to explore private investment in World Cup-related assets.
Although those proposals were ultimately abandoned, Infantino apologised for what he described as errors.
He nevertheless remained in office after receiving support from senior football executives during a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.
European Football Opposition Grows
The abandoned investment proposals have not completely ended the dispute.
Several European teams have threatened to boycott Fifa events, arguing that certain conditions surrounding the wider controversy have still not been addressed.
The pressure from European football comes despite Infantino retaining significant support elsewhere in the sport.
South American governing body Conmebol and the Confederation of African Football have backed the Fifa president.
The football associations of World Cup co-host Mexico and Argentina, who finished as runners-up at the tournament, have also expressed support.
Infantino’s Rise Through Football’s Power Structure
Infantino joined Uefa in 2000 and steadily climbed the organisation’s hierarchy before becoming its general secretary in 2009.
He remained in the role until 2016, when he was elected president of Fifa.
He has now spent a decade leading football’s global governing body.
The latest allegations therefore arrive as Infantino attempts to navigate one of the most challenging periods of his presidency.
With questions surrounding his leadership already intensifying over the proposed World Cup investment plans, the newly reported claims involving his time at Uefa are likely to add another layer of scrutiny.
For now, Infantino continues to deny the allegations, while Uefa maintains that the payment reported by The Telegraph was made in accordance with the rules that applied at the time.
