UEFA has publicly acknowledged that it is aware of a claim suggesting that the European football governing body provided financial compensation to a woman alleged to have been in a personal relationship with Gianni Infantino while he was employed there. The story, first reported by The Telegraph, alleges that during Infantino’s time as UEFA’s general secretary, a six‑figure sum was paid to a woman who is said to have been romantically involved with the future FIFA president.
According to the newspaper, the payment was not a one‑off cash settlement but also included funding for the woman’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) studies after she left the organisation. The Telegraph’s report states that UEFA covered the cost of the MBA programme at a local business school, effectively paying for the individual’s postgraduate education after her departure from the governing body. The narrative suggests that the payment was framed as a departure or severance package, yet the circumstances surrounding it have raised questions about the propriety of the transaction, especially given the alleged personal connection to Infantino. In response to the allegations, a FIFA spokesperson issued a statement to The Telegraph, emphatically denying the claims.
The spokesperson said that President Gianni Infantino “strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue.” The statement further warned that any suggestion of inappropriate conduct, or any breach of statutes or regulations, is defamatory. It added that no UEFA or FIFA employee has ever lodged a complaint about Infantino’s behaviour, because, according to the spokesperson, “there never was an incident where he was involved.” The spokesperson also clarified that any payments made to employees, including departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors and have complied with all relevant regulations at the time they were made.
UEFA itself confirmed to Sky Sports News that a payment was indeed made to an individual, but insisted that the payment was made in accordance with the rules that were in effect at the time. The organisation noted that those regulations have since been tightened.
In its statement to Sky Sports News, UEFA said: “We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for an MBA course at a local business school. The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time. Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations – which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level – reflect those found in a modern, high‑profile organisation.” The timeline is relevant to understanding the context.
Gianni Infantino served as UEFA’s general secretary from 2000 until his departure in 2016, at which point he assumed the role of FIFA president. The alleged payment, therefore, would have taken place sometime before or around 2016, before the governing bodies introduced the stricter staff‑payment policies that are now in place.
The changes to the regulations, which were implemented after 2016, were designed to increase transparency and ensure that any severance or departure payments are fully documented and justified under a uniform set of standards. The allegations have reignited scrutiny of Infantino’s past and the governance practices at both UEFA and FIFA.
Critics argue that even if the payment was technically permissible under the rules that existed at the time, the perception of a personal relationship influencing a financial decision could undermine confidence in the integrity of football’s leadership. Supporters of Infantino, however, point to the official denials and the lack of any formal complaint as evidence that no wrongdoing occurred. Sky Sports News reached out to FIFA for comment on the matter, but as of the time of writing, FIFA had not provided a further response beyond the earlier statement made to The Telegraph. The lack of additional comment leaves the issue open to speculation and further investigation by journalists and football governance watchdogs.
In summary, the core facts presented are as follows: UEFA acknowledges that a departure payment, including funding for an MBA, was made to a woman alleged to have been Infantino’s mistress; the payment complied with the regulations that were in place at the time but would not meet today’s stricter standards; FIFA and Infantino deny any misconduct and label the allegations as defamatory; and no formal complaints have been recorded from staff within either organisation. The story continues to develop as media outlets seek clarification and as the football community watches closely for any further revelations regarding the alleged financial arrangement and its implications for the reputations of both UEFA and FIFA.