Gianni Infantino denies claims ‘lover’ was paid off as UEFA release statement on allegations

Gianni Infantino has denied reports that UEFA paid off his alleged mistress while he was European football’s general secretary.

The Telegraph has reported that a woman received a six-figure sum after her supposed relationship with the now under-fire FIFA president.

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Infantino, who is married with four children, is also rumoured to have promoted the junior employee to a management role during the affair.

The publication reports that UEFA paid for the woman’s MBA degree after she left the organisation.

Senior figures at UEFA claim Infantino – who is now facing calls to quit over his failed plans to launch the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) – ensured the woman left with the pay-off.

He is said to have been challenged by then UEFA president Michel Platini over the alleged relationship, leading to her departure with payment.

Multiple sources claim that Platini told Infantino that either he or the woman would have to leave.

‘Regulations have been tightened’

In a statement released on Friday night, European football’s governing body admitted a payment had been made to the woman.

It said all payments were in line with regulations at the time, but those regulations have since been tightened and “reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation”.

UEFA also confirmed it was aware of the allegations the individual had been in a relationship with Infantino.

The statement read: “We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for an MBA course at a local business school.

“The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time.

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“Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations – which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level – reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation.”

As well as the pay-off, UEFA’s payment for the woman’s MBA course at a business school are said to have totalled around £45,000 per year in fees.

Infantino responds

Infantino has since moved to deny the allegations, with a FIFA spokesperson branding them ‘categorically untrue’.

The spokesperson said: “FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue.

“Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.

“No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino’s behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved.

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“All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations.”

Infantino joined UEFA in 2000 and spent 16 years there before leaving to become FIFA president in February 2016.

Despite his past ties to the organisation, relations have turned sour between the two parties more recently.

The revelations of his alleged affair come just a week after the collapse of Infantino’s proposed FFE scheme, which would have seen stakes in FIFA tournaments sold off to private investors.

Despite the plans being aborted, UEFA have maintained their threat to boycott the World Cup, after Infantino refused to resign from his role as FIFA president.

While there has been opposition from several governing bodies, CONMEBOL – the South American confederation – and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have backed Infantino, as have the Argentine Football Association (AFA).