Gianni Infantino has denied allegations that UEFA paid off a woman said to have been his mistress while he was general secretary, after UEFA confirmed to media outlets that a departure payment and MBA fees were made to an individual who left the organisation.
- UEFA confirms a departure payment and MBA fees were paid to a former employee and says the payments complied with the staff rules at the time.
- Gianni Infantino and FIFA categorically deny the allegations that the payments were linked to an illicit relationship or wrongdoing.
- The Telegraph reports a six‑figure payout and internal concern at the time; those specific claims are denied by FIFA and not fully detailed by UEFA.
- UEFA says staff regulations were tightened after 2016; it has not announced a formal public investigation in the statements cited here.
What UEFA and FIFA have said so far
UEFA issued a statement confirming it “is aware of the allegations” and that “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.” UEFA told Sky Sports News that the payment “was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time” and added that staff regulations “have been tightened since 2016”.
FIFA has published a denial on behalf of its president. A FIFA spokesperson was quoted by multiple outlets saying: “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.” The statement also said no employee at UEFA or FIFA has raised a complaint about Infantino’s behaviour and that staff departures and severance packages were approved by appropriate directors in line with applicable regulations.
The reporting behind the claims
Those denials and confirmations followed an investigative report by The Telegraph, which reported that during Infantino’s time at UEFA a woman allegedly in a relationship with him received a six‑figure sum, was promoted while the relationship was said to be ongoing, and later had her MBA fees paid by UEFA after leaving. The Telegraph said senior figures at UEFA had raised concerns internally at the time and that former UEFA president Michel Platini confronted Infantino over the matter, leading to the woman departing with a payment.
Where sources agree and where they differ
- Agreements: UEFA acknowledges a departure payment and reimbursement of MBA fees for a former employee and says those payments complied with the staff rules then in force; FIFA and Infantino deny any wrongdoing.
- Disputes and unproven claims: The Telegraph’s reporting asserts the payments related to an alleged intimate relationship between Infantino and the employee, as well as promotions given while the relationship was said to be ongoing. FIFA has denied the allegations and said no complaints were ever filed. UEFA has not attributed motive or confirmed the nature of any personal relationship in its statement to Sky Sports News.
Context and potential consequences
The reporting comes amid heightened scrutiny of senior football administrators. Multiple outlets have noted the timing follows wider controversy around Infantino’s recent proposals at FIFA, although neither UEFA nor FIFA have linked the current denials or confirmations to those broader disputes.
Media coverage has reported calls within UEFA for a broader review of Infantino’s conduct during his 16 years at the organisation, including interest in how the payments were authorised and whether applicable governance safeguards were observed. UEFA has told broadcasters that its staff regulations were tightened after 2016; the organisation has not announced a new inquiry publicly in the statements quoted here.
Timeline of the verified public record
- 2000–2016: Gianni Infantino was employed by UEFA, rising to the role of general secretary (reported tenure).
- 2016: Infantino left UEFA to become FIFA president (reported).
- 8 August 2026: The Telegraph published reporting alleging a six‑figure pay‑off and payment of MBA fees to a woman said to have been in a relationship with Infantino while he worked at UEFA (reported by The Telegraph).
- 7–8 August 2026: UEFA confirmed to Sky Sports News that a departure payment and MBA fees had been made and said the payments were in line with staff regulations at the time, which have since been tightened (UEFA statement via Sky Sports News).
- 7–8 August 2026: FIFA issued a statement relaying Infantino’s denial and saying the allegations are “categorically untrue” and defamatory (FIFA statement quoted by media outlets).
What is not established by the available evidence
From the documents and statements cited here, there is no independently published evidence in the public record that confirms the personal relationship described by The Telegraph, nor is there a public record proving that Infantino authorised payments. UEFA has not stated the identity of the recipient, the exact amounts paid, or who specifically approved the transaction beyond its comment that the payment complied with the rules at the time. The Telegraph reported a six‑figure sum and MBA fees of around £45,000 per year quoted for the business school; those figures are reported by the newspaper but have not been confirmed by UEFA in the quoted statements.
Practical implications for football followers in Britain
For UK stakeholders — fans, clubs and governing bodies — the episode underscores continuing questions about governance and transparency at the highest levels of the game. UEFA’s acknowledgement that its staff rules have been tightened since 2016 indicates a regulatory change intended to prevent potential conflicts in future staff departures. Any further investigations or formal inquiries would be relevant to national associations and clubs given FIFA’s global role and UEFA’s central position in European football governance.
Next steps and what to watch for
- Whether UEFA will launch a formal internal investigation into the specific circumstances of the payment it has acknowledged.
- Any further, detailed response from FIFA or Infantino beyond the categorical denial already released to media outlets.
- Reporting or disclosures that identify who authorised the payment and the exact amounts involved.
“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.”
That sentence above is UEFA’s confirmed public statement to Sky Sports News, as quoted in multiple outlets. Reporting on the relationship and the motives for the payment comes primarily from The Telegraph; Infantino and FIFA have denied the assertions.
G3.Football will monitor developments and publish updates if UEFA, FIFA or any other official body releases new information or opens formal proceedings.