The payments were made to the employee amid allegations of ties to Infantino
New allegations have surfaced over the payment of a former UEFA employee. While UEFA confirmed the payment, FIFA denied the allegations against Infantino.
Payments to employee amid allegations of association with Infantino
According to Sports.
Background
Gianni Infantino joined UEFA in 2000 and became Secretary General in 2009. After taking over as FIFA president in 2016, the allegations against him have sparked a debate on ethics and responsibility in football.
Why this matters
The allegations add to the pressure on Gianni Infantino, which could affect his future as FIFA president. The events at UEFA are prompting debates on ethics and responsibility in the world of football, particularly in light of the relationship between figures such as Infantino and Michel Platini.
Highlights
- The payments were made to the employee amid allegations of ties to Infantino.
- New allegations come to light over payment to former UEFA employee.
- UEFA reportedly paid off woman who allegedly had affair with FIFA president Gianni Infantino - Yahoo Sports.
Amid controversies rocking world football, another serious allegation has surfaced against FIFA president Gianni Infantino. According to British magazine 'The Telegraph', UEFA reportedly paid a 'six-figure' separation payment to a female employee who was accused of having an affair with Infantino during his tenure as UEFA secretary general. The employee, who previously worked as an administrator, was promoted to a managerial position by Infantino during their relationship, the report said.
When Michel Platini, who was UEFA president at the time, questioned Infantino about the relationship, the report says an agreement was reached for the employee to leave the association and be paid appropriately. After leaving the association, Infantino's contacts helped her land a 'lucrative' new job in the same field, and UEFA also covered the cost of studying for an 'MBA' at a local business school, the article said.
Infantino joined UEFA in 2000 and became Secretary General in 2009. He left UEFA in 2016 to take over as FIFA president. With this background, the allegations that have now come to light have become a topic of discussion.
Responding to the matter, a UEFA spokesperson confirmed to The Telegraph that a severance payment had been made to the individual concerned. "The payment was made in accordance with the personnel regulations in force at the time. We have tightened these procedures since 2016; modern regulations are now in place that apply to all levels of employees," UEFA said. On the other hand, according to a FIFA spokesperson, Infantino has vehemently denied the allegations. "To say there was any inappropriate behavior or breach of rules is defamatory. No employee has ever complained about his behavior to UEFA or FIFA," the organization clarified. Infantino has been married to Lena Al Ashkar since 2001 and has a family of four, the magazine noted.
The sensational story comes amid recent backlash against Infantino's proposal to accept private investment in the World Cup. FIFA withdrew the plan amid strong opposition. According to the Telegraph, UEFA reacted strongly to the proposal and continued its stance to the extent of boycotting FIFA competitions even after the withdrawal. The article suggests that some other unions have indicated that they are withdrawing their support for the president, and that Infantino is gearing up for another run in 2027. Around the same time, another report surfaced suggesting that Morocco could host the 2030 World Cup final if he declared support for his re-election, which FIFA denied. In addition, local organizers have been quoted as trying to secure Infantino's promised one million dollar payments to the 2026 World Cup host cities in the United States.
Given that these are all allegations at the moment, apart from the 'separation payment' confirmed by UEFA, nothing will be clarified pending official investigations. It remains to be seen how these developments will affect FIFA-UEFA relations amid preparations for the 2026 World Cup host nations.
What happens next
It remains to be seen how UEFA and FIFA will react to these allegations, especially at a time when the pressure on Infantino is mounting. The issue may become more of a topic of discussion in the football community, which may also impact major tournaments like the World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges against Gianni Infantino?
Gianni Infantino is accused of making a 'six-figure' severance payment to an employee linked to him during his tenure as UEFA secretary general.
Who verified these allegations?
A UEFA spokesperson confirmed to The Telegraph that a severance payment had been made to the person concerned.
Why has this come to light now?
After Infantino left UEFA to take over as FIFA president in 2016, the allegations became more controversial.
What changes have happened at UEFA?
Since 2016, UEFA has further tightened these policies; Now all
Modern rules applicable to domestic employees are in force.
What did Michel Platini say about this?
There are reports that Michel Platini questioned Infantino over the relationship.
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