{
  "id": 284246,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-07T22:50:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport Football",
    "slug": "bbc-sport-football",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2vw5z0q7no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fifa president Gianni Infantino has categorically denied allegations that Uefa paid a severance payment to his alleged lover during his time as the organization's general secretary. According to a Daily Telegraph investigation, Uefa confirmed a six-figure sum was given to the individual, who had an alleged relationship with Infantino, in 2009 when he was the general secretary at European football's governing body. A Fifa spokesman stated that Infantino \"strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations\" and that no employee at Uefa or Fifa has ever raised a complaint regarding his behavior. Uefa stated that the payment was in line with regulations at the time, but those regulations have since been tightened to reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organization. The allegations come as Infantino faces pressure to resign as Fifa president due to his controversial plans to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. Norway, Mexico, and Conmebol have called for Infantino's resignation over the investment plan, while the football associations of tournament co-hosts Mexico and Argentina have backed Infantino.",
  "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 allegations of Uefa paying off alleged lover.",
    "Uefa confirmed six-figure severance payment to individual in 2009.",
    "Infantino strongly denies allegations, no complaints raised."
  ],
  "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",
        "title": "Infantino denies claims Uefa paid off alleged 'lover'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/infantino-denies-claims-uefa-paid-off-alleged-lover",
        "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."
}