FIFA issues furious response on bid to ‘undermine’ Gianni Infantino after UEFA admission

UEFA confirmed on Saturday a “departure payment” was made to a female employee alleged to have been in a relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino during his time as UEFA general secretary.

FIFA has lashed out at “a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine” the governing body and president Gianni Infantino following allegations concerning his behaviour at UEFA.

UEFA confirmed on Saturday that a “departure payment” was made to a female employee who was allegedly in a relationship with Infantino during his tenure as the European organisation’s general secretary – an allegation Infantino denies.

It was reported that the woman received a six-figure settlement and UEFA confirmed a payment was made alongside covering the costs for an MBA course, stating it was “in line” with regulations at the time.

The allegations pile further pressure on Infantino, who spent 16 years at UEFA and served as its general secretary between 2009 and 2016 before being elected FIFA president, following his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

While not directly addressing UEFA’s statement, FIFA accused Infantino’s detractors of attempting to diminish his authority and force him from his position without a proper re-election process.

A lengthy statement said: “It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president.

“Those who do not have the support of FIFA’s member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA’s established democratic processes.

“Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its president. Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true.

“The FIFA president has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football, contributing to significant change in the game and, in particular, to broadening access, resources and opportunity across world football.

“Change inevitably challenges established interests, but disagreement with that change cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of FIFA’s president or the institution he was elected to lead.

“FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny. But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress. Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously.

“FIFA’s responsibility is to its 211 member associations and to football around the world. We will not be distracted or diverted from strengthening the organisation, delivering for our member associations and continuing the work of making football truly global. Through the FIFA president and the FIFA administration, our focus remains firmly on that mission, and we are more determined than ever to fulfil it.”

Infantino’s controversial proposal was rejected by UEFA and two other continental confederations. On Wednesday, Infantino received the backing of FIFA’s management board following a meeting held in Morocco, and issued an apology over the manner in which the process was handled.

UEFA’s threat to have its 55 member nations boycott FIFA competitions until the plan was abandoned remains firmly in place, with the European confederation stating on Thursday that Wednesday’s announcement “changes nothing”.

Following the Daily Telegraph’s claims on Friday, a FIFA spokesperson was reported to have told the newspaper that Infantino “strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations”.

A UEFA spokesperson said: “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 a MBA course at a local business school.

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

“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.”