FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces fresh pressure following reports that UEFA paid a six-figure exit package to a woman he allegedly had an extramarital affair with while serving as the organization's general secretary. According to an investigation by British newspaper The Telegraph, the payment occurred during Infantino's tenure as general secretary of the European football governing body.
UEFA confirmed in a statement that a departure payment was made to the woman. The European confederation stated that the payout also covered expenses for an MBA program at a local business school, adding that all payments followed rules in place at the time. UEFA noted that its rules have since been strengthened to reflect a modern high-profile organization.
A spokesperson for 56-year-old Infantino told The Telegraph that he categorically denies the completely false allegations. The spokesperson added that any suggestion of improper conduct or rule violations is defamatory, noting that no employee at UEFA or FIFA has ever filed a complaint against Infantino because no incident ever occurred.
FIFA presidency pressure
The new claims arrive as Infantino faces calls to resign as FIFA president over a controversial proposal to sell World Cup shares to private investors. Infantino apologized for mistakes made regarding the investment plans, but he remained in his post after securing support from senior officials at a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.
Although the World Cup investment plan was abandoned, European federations have threatened to boycott FIFA competitions because their conditions have not been met. Infantino joined UEFA in 2000, became general secretary in 2009, and served until his election as FIFA president in 2016.
Despite opposition in Europe, Infantino maintains strong international backing. The South American Football Confederation, known as CONMEBOL, and the Confederation of African Football, known as CAF, have backed Infantino. The football federations of Argentina, a World Cup finalist, and Mexico, a tournament co-host, have also declared their support.
