{
  "id": 284206,
  "title": "Infantino denies claims Uefa paid off alleged 'lover'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/infantino-denies-claims-uefa-paid-off-alleged-lover",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-07T22:50:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport",
    "slug": "bbc-sport",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2vw5z0q7no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gianni Infantino, the current Fifa president, has vehemently denied recent allegations that Uefa, the European football governing body, paid a severance payment to an alleged lover during his tenure as general secretary from 2009 to 2016. A Daily Telegraph investigation revealed that the woman received a six-figure sum and Uefa confirmed the payment was made, stating it complied with regulations at the time. Infantino, who is married, categorically denied the allegations, describing them as \"categorically untrue\" and defamatory. Uefa spokesperson added that all payments were in line with regulations at the time, which have since been tightened. The allegations have added pressure on Infantino, who is currently facing calls to resign as Fifa president over his controversial plans to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. Despite his apology for \"errors\" in those proposals, Infantino has not resigned and maintains support from senior executives. European teams have threatened to boycott Fifa events, but Conmebol and the Confederation of African Football have backed Infantino, along with the associations of World Cup co-hosts Mexico and Argentina.",
  "summary": "Gianni Infantino's alleged lover was given a severance payment over the affair by Uefa while he was its general secretary, according to a Daily Telegraph investigation.",
  "key_points": [
    "Gianni Infantino denies Uefa paid off alleged lover.",
    "Uefa confirmed six-figure severance payment, compliant with regulations.",
    "Infantino faces calls to resign over World Cup stake sale proposal."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Uefa doubles down on Fifa boycott threat: Infantino apology 'changes nothing'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/uefa-doubles-down-on-fifa-boycott-threat-infantino-apology-changes",
        "published": "2026-08-06T14:14:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RFI English",
        "title": "Fifa executives rally behind Infantino despite commercial plan fiasco",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/fifa-executives-rally-behind-infantino-despite-commercial-plan-fiasco",
        "published": "2026-08-06T14:14:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "El Pais",
        "title": "UEFA maintains its position against Infantino while Conmebol supports him",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/la-uefa-sostiene-su-posicion-contra-infantino-mientras-que-la",
        "published": "2026-08-06T17:05:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "England defender Bronze backs UEFA in standoff with FIFA and Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/england-defender-bronze-backs-uefa-in-standoff-with-fifa-and-infantino",
        "published": "2026-08-07T13:07:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "FIFA in turmoil: Middle East takes center stage as Infantino fights to stay in power",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/fifa-in-turmoil-middle-east-takes-center-stage-as-infantino-fights-to",
        "published": "2026-08-07T15:36:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Infantino denies UEFA paid off alleged mistress while he was general secretary",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/infantino-denies-uefa-paid-off-alleged-mistress-while-he-was-general",
        "published": "2026-08-07T21:52:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "Infantino denies claims Uefa paid off alleged 'lover'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/infantino-denies-claims-uefa-paid-off-alleged-lover-284246",
        "published": "2026-08-07T22:50:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SBS News",
        "title": "Infantino wins key backing as pressure over FIFA turmoil refuses to fade",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/infantino-wins-key-backing-as-pressure-over-fifa-turmoil-refuses-to",
        "published": "2026-08-07T23:31:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "UEFA confirms departure payment to ex-staff linked to FIFA’s Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/uefa-confirms-departure-payment-to-ex-staff-linked-to-fifas-infantino",
        "published": "2026-08-08T17:56:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}