UEFA Confirms Payment to Woman Linked to Gianni Infantino as FIFA President Denies Allegations

UEFA has confirmed that a former employee received a departure payment and funding for an MBA course during the period when Gianni Infantino was serving as the organisation’s general secretary.

The development follows a report alleging that the woman had been in a relationship with Infantino, who is now president of FIFA.

According to the report, the former UEFA employee received a six-figure payment after leaving the organisation, while UEFA also covered the cost of an MBA course.

However, UEFA has stressed that the payments were made in accordance with the staff regulations that were in place at the time.

UEFA Confirms Payment Was Made

UEFA confirmed that a departure payment was made to the individual, along with fees for an MBA programme at a local business school.

The European governing body said the arrangement complied with the regulations applicable to departing employees at the time.

UEFA also pointed out that its staff regulations have since been strengthened, with the current rules applying equally to employees across the organisation.

Infantino Strongly Denies the Allegations

Infantino has rejected the allegations through FIFA.

A FIFA spokesperson described the claims as categorically untrue and defamatory, while denying any suggestion that the FIFA president engaged in inappropriate conduct or breached regulations.

FIFA also stated that no employee at UEFA or FIFA had ever filed a complaint concerning Infantino’s behaviour.

The organisation further maintained that employee-related decisions, including severance and departure packages, were approved by the appropriate directors and handled according to the applicable regulations.

Infantino’s Time at UEFA

Infantino joined UEFA in 2000 and eventually became the organisation’s general secretary in 2009.

He remained in the role until 2016, when he left UEFA after being elected president of FIFA.

His time at UEFA preceded his rise to the leadership of world football, making the latest allegations particularly significant given his current position at FIFA.

UEFA Rules Have Since Changed

While UEFA confirmed that payments were made, the organisation emphasised that its regulations have changed since the period in question.

The governing body said its staff rules were tightened after 2016 and now reflect what it described as standards expected of a modern, high-profile organisation.

The controversy comes at a difficult time for Infantino, who is already facing increased scrutiny over his leadership of FIFA and disagreements with UEFA over the direction of world football.

Allegations Remain Contested

At this stage, the central allegations concerning the nature of Infantino’s relationship with the former employee remain disputed.

UEFA has confirmed that payments were made, but says they complied with the rules in force at the time. Infantino, through FIFA, has strongly rejected the allegations of inappropriate conduct.

The issue is therefore likely to remain under scrutiny as further details emerge.