{
  "id": 331460,
  "title": "Infantino denies 'defamatory' affair claims made in British newspaper",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/infantino-denies-defamatory-affair-claims-made-in-british-newspaper",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T01:29:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-09/gianni-infantino-denies-reports-of-alleged-affair-while-at-uefa/107014076"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "British newspaper The Daily Telegraph published claims that FIFA president Gianni Infantino was involved in a romantic affair while serving as secretary general of UEFA. Both FIFA and Infantino have vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as \"categorically untrue\" and \"defamatory\". Infantino, a candidate for re-election in March, maintains strong backing in Africa and South America. The controversy began when The Daily Telegraph alleged that Infantino had paid off an alleged lover, and had previously influenced a promotion for the same individual. A FIFA spokesperson has not commented on the claims, while UEFA acknowledged a departure payment and tuition fees for an MBA course, but insisted the payments were in accordance with regulations at the time. Infantino, who has been married since 2001, strongly denies the allegations, stating that any insinuation of misconduct is defamatory. The scandal follows Infantino's aborted plan to allow private investors to participate in the World Cup, which faced strong opposition from UEFA. FIFA has apologized for the handling of the proposal, reaffirming its support for Infantino. Despite the controversy, Infantino continues to receive backing from several FIFA member federations, including the Confederation of African Football and CONMEBOL.",
  "summary": "British newspaper The Daily Telegraph has published allegations that FIFA President Gianni Infantino was involved in an affair while serving as UEFA secretary general from 2009 to 2016. FIFA and Infantino have both denied the claims, describing them as \"categorically untrue\" and \"defamatory.\" Infantino, who is up for re-election in March, maintains support in Africa and South America. The allegations also suggest that Infantino used his influence to secure a promotion for the same employee with whom he was allegedly in an intimate relationship, and that she received a six-figure sum upon her departure, along with tuition fees for an MBA course. UEFA acknowledged that a departure payment was made to the individual at the time, but insisted it was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time, before adding that such regulations have been tightened since 2016. Infantino, who has been married since 2001, strongly denies the allegations, stating that any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Infantino denies 'defamatory' affair claims made in British newspaper",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/infantino-denies-defamatory-affair-claims-made-in-british-newspaper-335413",
        "published": "2026-08-09T01:29:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}