Recent reports have emerged suggesting that UEFA made a substantial severance payment to a woman allegedly involved with
In response to these allegations, Infantino has firmly denied any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for FIFA stated, “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 further emphasized that no complaints regarding Infantino's behavior have ever been lodged by employees at either UEFA or FIFA, asserting that all actions related to employee departures and severance packages were conducted in accordance with established regulations.
UEFA's Acknowledgment of Payment
While UEFA has acknowledged that a payment was made to the individual in question, they clarified that it was executed in compliance with the regulations that were in place at the time. The organization stated, “We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for an MBA course at a local business school.” UEFA also noted that the regulations governing such payments have been revised and tightened since 2016, aligning them with standards expected in modern organizations.
Infantino's association with UEFA spanned from 2010 to 2016, a period during which he rose to prominence within the football community. Currently, he is facing significant scrutiny over his controversial proposal to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup, which has drawn criticism from various football associations. This backlash has intensified calls for his resignation from the presidency of FIFA, as stakeholders express concerns over the implications of such a move for the integrity of the sport.
