Infantino Denies UEFA Mistress Payment Allegations

Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President, has rejected allegations that UEFA made a payment to a woman purportedly involved in a relationship with him during his time as UEFA general secretary from 2000 to 2016. The Telegraph reported that the woman received a six-figure sum and had her MBA financed by UEFA after leaving the organization.

UEFA acknowledged the payment, asserting it was in line with regulations for departing staff at that time, which have since been strengthened. A FIFA spokesperson stated that Infantino "strongly denies" the allegations, calling them "untrue" and "defamatory." Infantino emphasized that no complaints regarding his conduct have ever been lodged by employees at UEFA or FIFA, and all actions regarding employee departures and severance packages were compliant with regulations.

This situation arises amid Infantino's controversial proposal to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors, which he had to abandon due to significant opposition from member associations.