UEFA considers probe into ex-gen sec Infantino for relationship scandal

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing a new crisis that could lead to a fresh investigation into his conduct during the 16 years he spent at UEFA, amid allegations concerning an alleged relationship with a former employee, who received a six-figure financial settlement.

The Telegraph has revealed how prominent figures within UEFA want to know whether the alleged relationship influenced decisions relating to the employee or others during Infantino’s tenure as general secretary.

UEFA circa Infantino: A brief history

Infantino joined UEFA in 2000 and rose through the ranks before taking up the post of general secretary. He stayed at UEFA until 2016, when he became FIFA president, succeeding Joseph Blatter.

When at UEFA, it was reported that a female employee started out in an entry-level role before quickly moving into a more lucrative managerial position. She allegedly received a pay rise of about 30%, which caused discontent within the organisation, according to sources quoted by the Telegraph.

Apparently, Infantino was not supposed to approve the staff member’s severance package due to an alleged conflict of interest.

Meanwhile, sources indicated that Michel Platini, who was head of UEFA at the time, confronted Infantino over the alleged relationship, before an agreement was reached about the staff member’s departure and financial compensation.

The information also revealed that once the employee left, UEFA financially supported her Master’s degree in business administration.

Platini declined to comment to the Telegraph.

UEFA defends itself, FIFA denies allegations

For its part, UEFA confirmed that the sum received by the employee was “in line with the regulations in force” at the time, noting that the organisation had subsequently tightened its rules regarding staff and remuneration policies, in line with modern standards for international organisations.

However, FIFA described the allegations levelled at its president, calling them “categorically untrue” and said any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour or a breach of regulations constitutes defamation. The football body also confirmed it had not received any complaints from staff at UEFA or FIFA regarding Infantino’s conduct.

FIFA emphasised that all measures relating to staff, including severance packages and compensation, had been approved by the relevant officials in accordance with the regulations in force at the time.

In a further escalation, FIFA has accused certain parties of launching a “coordinated and sustained effort” aimed at undermining the organisation and Infantino.

Things keep getting worse for Gianni

This issue comes at an extremely sensitive time for Infantino. He is facing one of his biggest political crises since taking over as FIFA president, against the backdrop of an escalating dispute with UEFA over a proposed plan to finance the World Cup, which would have granted a group of investors extensive influence over the tournament’s commercial interests.

UEFA had announced that it lost confidence in Infantino, while the European football associations voted unanimously to boycott the upcoming World Cup, pending assurances that the controversial funding plan had been definitively scrapped.

This crisis coincided with other controversies surrounding Infantino’s presidency, including the row over the high ticket prices for World Cup matches, as well as the infamous U-turn of US striker Fularin Balogun’s suspension, following intervention from President Donald Trump.

However, despite mounting pressure, Infantino remains determined to stand in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for next March, in a bid to secure a fourth and final term.

In North and Central America and the Caribbean, the CONCACAF federations have joined UEFA in criticising the funding plan, whilst Mexico has broken ranks with the majority and announced its support for Infantino — a move that has raised questions, particularly as the country is bidding to host the Club World Cup in 2029.

Featured image via the Canary

By Alaa Shamali

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