Gianni Infantino Rejects Claims UEFA Paid Off Alleged 'Lover' During His Time As General Secretary

Published 8 August 2026 · sports

News sports football Gianni Infantino Rejects Claims UEFA Paid Off Alleged 'Lover' During His Time As General Secretary Gianni Infantino Rejects Claims UEFA Paid Off

News sports football Gianni Infantino Rejects Claims UEFA Paid Off Alleged 'Lover' During His Time As General Secretary Gianni Infantino Rejects Claims UEFA Paid Off Alleged 'Lover' During His Time As General Secretary Published By, Last Updated: August 08, 2026, 10:33 IST A report claims that Gianni Infantino's alleged mistress received severance payment during his time with UEFA. Gianni Infantino caught in another scandal. (Reuters Photo) UEFA reportedly paid off current FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s alleged ‘lover’ during his time with the European football governing body. A report by The Telegraph claims that UEFA paid a si figure severance payment to a woman who was allegedly in a relationship with Infantino while he was the body’s general secretary. The publication claims that UEFA paid for the woman’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

Infantino has denied the allegations in a statement issued through a FIFA spokesperson. “FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory," a FIFA spokesman was quoted as saying by The Telegraph. “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. All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations," the statement added. Infantino was associated with UEFA from 2010 till 2016. UEFA admitted to having paid off an individual but said the payment was made in accordance with the regulations in place at the time, which have since been tightened.

“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," UEFA was quoted as saying in a statement by Sky Sports. “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," it added. Infantino is currently gathering support after his ambitious but controversial project to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup drew severe backlash from several associations, leading to calls for him to resign as president of football’s global governing body.