Gianni Infantino, FIFA president since 2016, has categorically denied reports of an affair and a six-figure severance payment made to a female UEFA employee during his time as UEFA general secretary from 2009 to 2016 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The Daily Telegraph reported that UEFA paid the woman a substantial departure sum and approximately £45,000 in MBA tuition fees following her exit, alleging the payments were linked to an alleged affair with Infantino [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. UEFA confirmed making these payments but stated they were lawful under the regulations in place at the time, which have since been tightened to meet modern standards [3].
FIFA and Infantino called the allegations "categorically untrue" and defamatory, adding no complaints regarding Infantino's conduct were ever raised during his UEFA tenure [1]. A FIFA spokesman said, "Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory" [1].
According to reports, Infantino allegedly used his influence to secure the woman's promotion and salary increases, with her annual pay said to reach £147,000 after advancement [2, 8, 9, 6, 7]. UEFA's departure payments also covered fees for her MBA course at a local business school [2, 8, 9, 4, 5, 6].
Michel Platini, former UEFA president, reportedly confronted Infantino about the alleged affair and demanded the woman leave UEFA, resulting in her departure with the severance payment [6, 7]. After leaving UEFA, Infantino is said to have helped the woman find a well-paying position in a related field, though these claims have low confidence [6, 7].
Infantino has been married since 2001 and has four daughters. There has been no indication that his wife has commented on the allegations [2, 6].
The revelation comes amid continued pressure on Infantino after his controversial plan announced in late July to allow private investment in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10]. UEFA and 55 European football associations threatened boycotts even after that plan was scrapped [2, 3, 4, 5]. Support for Infantino remains from some football bodies, including Mexico, Argentina, and the Confederation of African Football [1, 4, 6], while the Norwegian Football Federation has called publicly for his immediate resignation [4, 6]. Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness said, "[The NFF] are going to ask the FIFA president to resign now" [4].
Infantino joined UEFA in 2000, became general secretary in 2009, and was elected FIFA president in 2016 shortly before UEFA updated its staff conduct and severance payment regulations [1, 10].
Media coverage of Infantino's denial and UEFA's confirmation of payments emerged on August 8, 2026, following the report published August 7 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10]. UEFA continues to affirm the payments complied with regulations in force at the time [3].
