ZURICH — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly denied allegations that inappropriate conduct was behind a six-figure departure payment made to a female UEFA employee during his tenure as the organization’s general secretary.
The allegations stem from a report claiming that the payment was linked to an alleged personal relationship between Infantino and the employee while he worked at UEFA. According to the report, the woman also received funding for an MBA program before leaving the organization.
In response, a spokesperson for FIFA described the claims as “categorically untrue and defamatory.” The statement said Infantino had never been the subject of any complaint regarding his conduct during his time at UEFA and rejected suggestions that the departure payment was connected to any inappropriate relationship. (The Guardian)
UEFA confirmed that a departure payment was made to the former employee and that the organization also covered tuition fees for an MBA program. However, UEFA said both decisions were made in accordance with its employment rules at the time and stressed that its internal policies have since been strengthened.
The controversy comes at a difficult time for Infantino. In recent days, UEFA has also threatened legal action against FIFA over a now-abandoned proposal to bring private investors into FIFA’s commercial operations, further increasing pressure on the football governing body’s president.
Infantino, who served as UEFA General Secretary from 2009 until becoming FIFA president in 2016, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and says the latest allegations are an attempt to damage his reputation.
Sources: CNN, The Guardian, CNN X.
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