New Allegations Surface Against FIFA President Gianni Infantino

As scrutiny intensifies on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a new alleged scandal has come to light. The Telegraph reported Friday that UEFA allegedly compensated a woman who was involved in a relationship with Infantino while he served as the association’s secretary general.

According to the report, the woman received a six-figure sum after their alleged affair concluded. During their relationship, she was promoted to a managerial role within UEFA, where she had previously worked as an administrator.

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The Telegraph noted that Infantino faced inquiries regarding the relationship from then-UEFA President Michel Platini. They eventually reached an agreement for her departure from the organization, which included a payment.

Following her exit from UEFA, Infantino reportedly facilitated her acquisition of a new “lucrative” position in a similar industry. The association is also said to have funded her MBA studies at a local business school after she left.

Infantino joined UEFA in 2000 and became its secretary general in 2009 before assuming the role of FIFA President in 2016.

In response to the allegations, a UEFA spokesperson confirmed to The Telegraph that “a departure payment was made to the individual in question.”

“The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time,” the spokesperson stated. “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.”

A FIFA spokesperson maintained that Infantino “strongly denies” the allegations.

“Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory,” the governing body said. “No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino’s behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved.”

Since 2001, Infantino has been married to Leena Al Ashqar, and the couple has four children together.

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This scandal emerges as Infantino faces mounting criticism for his controversial proposal to sell private investment stakes in the World Cup. The backlash was swift, leading to FIFA ultimately abandoning the plan.

UEFA has been particularly vocal in their opposition to Infantino’s suggestion, even maintaining a boycott of FIFA competitions after the proposal was retracted. Additionally, other federations have indicated they may withdraw their support for Infantino, who is seeking re-election in 2027.

Moreover, Infantino reportedly told Morocco that the country could host the 2030 World Cup final if it publicly backs his re-election bid. FIFA has denied this claim.

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In addition to these controversies, Infantino faces further challenges as U.S. World Cup host cities reportedly pursue $1 million payments promised to them for hosting World Cup matches.

As pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino continues to rise, a new alleged scandal has emerged. The Telegraph reported Friday that UEFA reportedly paid off a woman who was having an affair with Infantino while he was secretary general of the association.

Per The Telegraph, the woman received a six-figure amount after the alleged relationship came to an end. The woman, who worked at UEFA as an administrator, was reportedly promoted to a managerial role by Infantino during their relationship.

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Infantino was reportedly challenged about the relationship by then-UEFA president Michel Platini, and they agreed that she would leave the association and be paid, per The Telegraph.

When she left UEFA, Infantino reportedly used connections to get her a new “lucrative” job in a similar field. The association also allegedly paid for her to earn her MBA at a local business school after she left.

Infantino, who joined UEFA in 2000, became the organization’s secretary general in 2009. He left UEFA to become FIFA’s president in 2016.

In a statement to The Telegraph, a spokesperson for UEFA said the association was aware of the allegations and confirmed that “a departure payment was made to the individual in question.”

“The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time,” the spokesperson said. “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.”

A FIFA spokesperson told The Telegraph that Infantino “strongly denies” the allegations.

“Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory,” the football governing body said. “No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino’s behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved.”

Infantino has been married to Leena Al Ashqar since 2001. The couple has four children together.

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The salacious report comes as Infantino is already under significant fire for his proposal to sell private investment stakes in the World Cup. Backlash to the idea was swift and overwhelming, and Infantino and FIFA eventually scrapped the plan entirely.

UEFA has responded the most strongly to Infantino’s proposal even after the withdrawal, and has maintained that it will boycott FIFA competitions. Other federations have said that they will withdraw their support for the president, with Infantino up for re-election in 2027.

After that, Infantino reportedly told Morocco that the country could host the 2030 World Cup final if it issues a statement of support for his re-election bid. FIFA has denied the report.

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On top of that, Infantino has come under additional scrutiny with U.S. World Cup host cities reportedly chasing down $1 million payments that he promised to those who hosted World Cup games.