UEFA’s six‑figure payout sparks clash with Infantino’s denial

UEFA’s decision to pay a six‑figure settlement to a former employee stands in stark contrast to FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s categorical denial of any misconduct. The juxtaposition highlights a governance dispute that pits UEFA’s internal handling against Infantino’s public refutation.

The payment was reported by The Telegraph on Friday and is described as a six‑figure settlement linked to an alleged affair involving Gianni Infantino. The report specifies that the settlement followed the end of the woman’s relationship with Infantino while he was UEFA’s secretary general. The Telegraph’s Friday article sparked immediate scrutiny of UEFA’s financial practices.

The woman initially worked as an administrator at UEFA before being promoted to a managerial role during her relationship with Infantino. Her career progression at the organisation coincided with the period of the alleged affair. After the relationship ended, she departed from UEFA under the terms of the settlement.

Former UEFA president Michel Platini challenged Infantino’s stance on the matter and ultimately supported the woman’s departure and compensation. Platini’s intervention is cited as a key factor in reaching the settlement. His support reinforced the decision to provide a departure payment.

UEFA later assisted the former employee in securing a new “lucrative” position in a similar field, leveraging Infantino’s connections. In addition, UEFA allegedly funded her MBA at a local business school after her exit. These actions suggest UEFA’s involvement extended beyond the initial payment.

Gianni Infantino joined UEFA in 2000, became secretary general in 2009, and left the organisation in 2016 to become FIFA president. His tenure at UEFA overlapped with the period of the alleged affair. The timeline underscores his transition from UEFA to the global governing body.

A UEFA spokesperson confirmed the organisation was aware of the allegations and acknowledged making “a departure payment” to the individual. The spokesperson said the payment complied with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time. UEFA added that staff regulations have been tightened since 2016 to reflect modern standards.

A FIFA spokesperson rejected the claims outright, stating that Gianni Infantino “strongly denies the allegations.” The statement described any insinuation of inappropriate conduct as defamatory. FIFA added that no employee at UEFA or FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Infantino’s behaviour.

Infantino has been married to Leena Al Ashqar since 2001, and the couple has four children. The reference to Al underscores the personal dimension of the allegations. Their long‑standing marriage is noted amid the controversy.

The settlement emerges amid broader criticism of Infantino’s leadership, including his proposal to sell private investment stakes in the World Cup, which FIFA later scrapped after overwhelming backlash. UEFA has been the most vocal opponent of the plan, vowing to boycott FIFA competitions even after the proposal was withdrawn. Other federations have distanced themselves from Infantino, who is up for re‑election in 2027, and reports claim he told Morocco it could host the 2030 World Cup final if it supported his re‑election bid, a claim FIFA has denied. Separately, Infantino faces scrutiny over unfulfilled $1 million payments promised to U.S. World Cup host cities.