FIFA has publicly condemned what it describes as a "concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine" the organisation and its president, Gianni Infantino, following a series of allegations concerning his past conduct at UEFA. The controversy erupted after UEFA confirmed on Saturday that a "departure payment" had been made to a female employee who was alleged to have been involved in a personal relationship with Infantino during his tenure as the European governing body’s general secretary. According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, the woman received a six‑figure sum as part of the settlement, and UEFA also covered the tuition fees for an MBA programme she was enrolled in.
UEFA stated that the payment was "in line" with the regulations that were in force at the time of her departure. The governing body added that the rules governing such payments have been tightened since 2016, and that the current staff regulations now mirror those of a modern, high‑profile organisation. The allegations have added fresh pressure on Infantino, who spent 16 years at UEFA, serving as its general secretary from 2009 until 2016 before being elected president of FIFA. His rise to the top of world football followed a tumultuous period that included an aborted attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors, a move that sparked intense debate within the sport’s global community.
While FIFA’s statement did not directly quote UEFA’s announcement, it accused Infantino’s detractors of trying to erode his authority and to force his removal without following the proper re‑election procedures mandated by FIFA’s democratic framework. The statement read: "It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president. Those who do not have the support of FIFA's member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA's established democratic processes." FIFA went on to denounce recent reporting as containing "unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims" about both the organisation and its leader. "Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true," the statement continued.
It praised Infantino’s three‑decade career in European and world football, noting his contributions to expanding access, resources and opportunities across the sport. "Change inevitably challenges established interests, but disagreement with that change cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of FIFA's president or the institution he was elected to lead," the statement asserted.
The governing body also stressed that while it welcomes legitimate scrutiny, such scrutiny should not be used as a license to distort facts, amplify unverified accusations, or create distractions that undermine progress. "Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously," the statement promised.
It reaffirmed its commitment to the 211 member associations that make up the FIFA family and to the broader mission of promoting football worldwide. "We will not be distracted or diverted from strengthening the organisation, delivering for our member associations and continuing the work of making football truly global," the statement concluded. Infantino’s controversial proposal—details of which were rejected by UEFA and two other continental confederations—remains a flashpoint. On Wednesday, FIFA’s management board, meeting in Morocco, expressed support for Infantino and issued an apology regarding the handling of the process.
Nevertheless, UEFA has threatened to have its 55 member associations boycott FIFA competitions until the plan is abandoned, maintaining that the recent announcement "changes nothing." Following the Telegraph’s claims, a FIFA spokesperson reportedly told the newspaper that Infantino "strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations." A UEFA spokesperson confirmed that a departure payment and MBA tuition fees had indeed been provided to the individual in question, emphasizing that the payment complied with the regulations that existed at the time. The spokesperson added that those regulations have since been tightened to reflect contemporary standards for staff settlements within large sporting organisations. The episode highlights the delicate balance between governance, accountability, and personal reputation in the upper echelons of world football. As FIFA strives to protect its image and maintain the confidence of its member associations, it must also navigate the scrutiny that comes with high‑profile leadership.
The organization’s firm response suggests it will continue to defend its president against what it perceives as baseless attacks, while also reinforcing its commitment to transparency and democratic principles. The ongoing debate over the departure payment, the alleged relationship, and the broader strategic proposals put forward by Infantino will likely remain a point of contention in football circles for the foreseeable future.