FIFA's Gianni Infantino fights off fresh scandal as Uefa confirms payment to alleged 'lover' amid calls to resign
As Gianni Infantino battles to hold on to his position as FIFA president following the collapse of his controversial World Cup investment plan, a fresh storm has erupted — with a newspaper alleging Uefa quietly settled a payment tied to an affair during his time as the body's general secretary.
European football's governing body, Uefa, has confirmed making a payment to a woman alleged to have been in a relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino while he served as general secretary from 2009 to 2016. The six-figure sum was given to the woman for her tuition fees for an MBA program at a local business school, Uefa stated, adding that the arrangement complied with the rules in place at the time.
Infantino, who is married, has categorically denied these allegations, dismissing them as defamatory and asserting that no formal complaint about his behavior had ever been lodged at either organization. The fresh allegations come at a challenging time for Infantino, who is already under scrutiny over his aborted plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.
Despite the backlash, he has resisted calls for his resignation, securing support from senior football executives during a recent meeting in Morocco. However, several European football associations have threatened to boycott FIFA events, arguing that conditions attached to their cooperation still haven't been met. Infantino's career in football administration spans over two decades, and he has faced multiple controversies throughout his tenure.
Whether these latest allegations will lead to calls for his resignation or fade into the background remains to be seen.
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