FIFA President Gianni Infantino Denies Claims That UEFA Paid Off His Alleged 'Lover'

Gianni Infantino is facing renewed scrutiny after a report claimed that a woman who allegedly had a relationship with him received a severance payment from UEFA during his tenure as its general secretary.

An investigation by The Daily Telegraph stated that the payment was linked to the alleged affair, though Infantino’s spokesman insisted he “strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations”.

UEFA confirmed that a financial settlement was made to the woman, explaining that it covered the cost of an MBA programme at a local business school.

The organisation said the payment complied with the rules in place at the time, adding that its policies have since been tightened to match modern governance standards.

Pressure Mounts On Gianni Infantino

The claims arrive at a difficult moment for Infantino, who is already under pressure following his abandoned plan to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

The proposal triggered significant backlash, with several European federations demanding his resignation.

Infantino apologised for “errors” in the process but remained in office after senior officials backed him during a meeting in Morocco.

The Telegraph reported that the woman received a six‑figure sum and that the alleged relationship occurred while Infantino was married.

A FIFA spokesperson rejected any suggestion of misconduct, saying no employee at either organisation had ever filed a complaint about Infantino’s behaviour.

Infantino’s long career in football administration began at UEFA in 2000. He became secretary general in 2009 and later succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.

His leadership is now being tested, with European nations warning they may boycott FIFA events despite the investment plan being dropped.

However, he continues to receive strong backing from other regions. Conmebol and CAF have expressed support, as have the football associations of Mexico and Argentina, both of whom were involved in the most recent World Cup.

The allegations add another layer of pressure as Infantino attempts to stabilise his presidency amid growing global division.