{
  "id": 316886,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T17:56:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/uefa-confirms-departure-payment-to-ex-staff-linked-to-fifas-infantino/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UEFA has confirmed that a departing payment was made to a former employee who had a relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino while he worked as the organisation's general secretary. The woman received a six-figure sum following the alleged relationship, which occurred during Infantino's time as general secretary from 2009 to 2016. In addition to the departure payment, UEFA also covered the cost of the employee taking an MBA course at a local business school. A UEFA spokesperson stated that the payment adhered to regulations for departing staff at the time and that such regulations had been tightened since 2016. The spokesperson added that UEFA's current staff regulations reflect those of a modern, high-profile organization. Infantino served at UEFA for 16 years and has been FIFA president since his election in 2016.",
  "summary": "UEFA confirms a “departure payment” was made to a former employee allegedly linked to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, sparking controversy. Read More: https://punchng.com/uefa-confirms-departure-payment-to-ex-staff-linked-to-fifas-infantino/",
  "key_points": [
    "UEFA paid former employee a six-figure sum upon departure.",
    "Payment related to alleged relationship with Gianni Infantino.",
    "Infantino worked at UEFA from 2009 to 2016 as general secretary."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "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"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}