Infantino Faces Allegations of Inappropriate Relationship With UEFA Female Employee... Controversy Over Large Severance Payment

Suspicions Over Large Severance Payment and MBA Funding for Female Employee
FIFA Refutes Allegations as "Defamatory and an Attack on Leadership"

Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), has become embroiled in allegations that he had a personal relationship and engaged in inappropriate conduct with a female employee during his tenure as Secretary General of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). However, both Infantino and FIFA have categorically denied these claims.

On August 9 (local time), FIFA issued a statement publicly defending Infantino, describing the allegations as "manifestly untrue and defamatory" and asserting that "this series of suspicions is an organized effort to undermine the leadership."

FIFA also claimed that no employee had ever officially raised concerns about Infantino's conduct during his time at UEFA or FIFA, and that decisions regarding the employee's resignation and compensation were made in accordance with relevant regulations and approval procedures.

Earlier, the British daily The Telegraph reported on suspicions that Infantino had maintained an inappropriate relationship with a female employee between 2009 and 2016 while serving as Secretary General of UEFA.

Gianni Infantino, President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Yonhap News Agency

This woman was promoted during Infantino's tenure before leaving UEFA, and it was reported that she received a six-figure sum upon her departure. Additionally, UEFA is said to have supported the costs of her Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

In response, UEFA acknowledged that the employee had received a severance payment, but stated that it was in accordance with the regulations at the time, while Infantino's representatives categorically denied any allegations of a personal relationship or inappropriate conduct.

A key point of controversy was the timing and amount of the severance payment. The report raised suspicions that the payment may have been related to the relationship between the two individuals. It was also claimed that Michel Platini, then President of UEFA, clashed with Infantino over the issue, and that the employee subsequently left UEFA.

In a recent statement, UEFA confirmed that a severance payment was made to the individual, but explained that this was in line with the internal regulations in place at the time. UEFA added that it has tightened its policies in this area since 2016.

This controversy has emerged as Infantino faces yet another political crisis as FIFA President. Recently, Infantino has faced backlash from UEFA and football associations in various countries over his push to transfer some World Cup commercial rights to private investors. Debates over his leadership are also escalating within FIFA.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.