UEFA CONFIRMS PAYOUT TO FORMER EMPLOYEE UNDER FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO AMID DENIALS OF SEXUAL AFFAIR. (PHOTO).

 UEFA confirms payout to former employee under FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid denials of sexual affair

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is denying a report that inappropriate conduct was behind a six-figure “departure payment” made to a woman during his tenure as general secretary of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).

UEFA confirmed the woman’s payout, noting that while the package was in line with rules at the time, internal staff regulations have since been “tightened”.

The Telegraph first reported allegations that the woman received the settlement following an affair with the head of world football.

Infantino “strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue,” a FIFA spokesperson stated.

“Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.”

The allegations emerge as soccer’s governing body faces intense pressure. Leaked plans regarding a proposal to sell partial commercial and operational rights to the World Cup sparked widespread backlash, and although FIFA ultimately scrapped the proposal, significant tension remains.

UEFA, which represents many of the world's top footballing nations, has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions—including the World Cup—and publicly declared a loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

According to The Telegraph, UEFA paid off an alleged mistress of Infantino while he served as general secretary from 2009 to 2016. Citing multiple anonymous sources, the outlet reported that Infantino had a “relationship with a junior employee” who was later promoted to a “more lucrative managerial role” before receiving a payout upon her departure.

The report added that UEFA also covered her business school MBA tuition. UEFA confirmed the arrangement, stating that 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 organization added: “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 organization”.

The controversy adds to the challenges surrounding Infantino’s upcoming re-election campaign. Although senior FIFA officials expressed support following a crisis meeting, UEFA continues to hold its boycott threat over future men’s and women’s World Cups, demanding assurances against similar future proposals.

A boycott by UEFA members would omit six of the current top 10 nations in both men’s and women’s football. Additionally, players’ union FIFPRO stated that its confidence in FIFA’s leadership “has now been fundamentally broken.”

Conversely, South American governing body CONMEBOL declined to back an extraordinary congress to challenge Infantino, opting to follow the standard timeline for the upcoming presidential election. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also maintained its support for Infantino.