Archive · 8 Aug 2026
FIFA Chief Infantino Denies Six-Figure UEFA Payout, MBA Allegations
FIFA is a big group that runs world football, and its president is a man named Gianni Infantino.
A newspaper called The Telegraph says that when Mr. Infantino worked for another football group called UEFA, the group gave a woman extra money and paid for her business school classes.
The newspaper also says the woman was a junior employee who got a promotion with a big pay raise during the time she reportedly knew Mr. Infantino.
UEFA says it did give the woman the money and pay for her classes, but it says that was allowed by the rules back then.
UEFA also says it made the rules for leaving workers stricter in 2016.
Mr. Infantino says the story is not true and that it hurts his reputation.
Some people are also upset with Mr. Infantino about a different money plan, which FIFA later stopped.
Some people want him to quit his job, but football groups in Africa and South America still support him.
He is expected to run for another term as FIFA president next year.
The Telegraph reported that UEFA paid a six-figure sum and funded an MBA course for a former junior employee allegedly in a relationship with Gianni Infantino during his time as UEFA general secretary.
The woman allegedly received a promotion during the reported relationship, including a 30 per cent pay rise to a salary of around £147,000, and later received a severance package after leaving UEFA.
UEFA confirmed that a departure payment and MBA funding were provided, saying the arrangements followed the staff regulations in place at the time, which have been tightened since 2016.
Infantino strongly denied the allegations through FIFA, calling them 'categorically untrue' and defamatory, and FIFA said no employee has ever filed a complaint against him.
The claims emerge amid criticism of FIFA's now-shelved private investment plan, reportedly capable of raising up to $4.2 billion, and calls for Infantino to resign, though he retains support from African and South American football bodies and is expected to seek a fourth and final term as FIFA president.
- Who
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino, UEFA, a former junior UEFA employee, and The Daily Telegraph
- What
- Allegations that UEFA paid a six-figure sum and funded an MBA course for a junior employee allegedly in a relationship with Infantino during his tenure as UEFA general secretary, including a promotion with a 30 per cent pay rise to around £147,000
- When
- Report published on August 08, 2026, concerning conduct alleged during Infantino's UEFA tenure from 2000 to 2016
- Where
- UEFA, Europe's football governing body; the report was published by The Daily Telegraph
- Why
- The controversy has fueled calls for Infantino's resignation as he faces criticism over FIFA's shelved private investment plan and is expected to seek a fourth and final term as FIFA president
Critics and Report Allegations
FIFA, Infantino, and UEFA Defense
Payout and MBA funding allegations
Critics and Report Allegations
The Telegraph reports UEFA paid a six-figure sum and funded an MBA for a junior employee allegedly in a relationship with Infantino, who also received a promotion with a 30 per cent pay rise and later a severance package.
FIFA, Infantino, and UEFA Defense
Infantino strongly denies the allegations as 'categorically untrue' and defamatory, and FIFA says no employee at UEFA or FIFA has ever filed a complaint against him.
Whether UEFA followed the rules
Critics and Report Allegations
Critics see the payments and promotion as evidence of inappropriate conduct during Infantino's tenure.
FIFA, Infantino, and UEFA Defense
UEFA confirms the departure payment and MBA funding but says they were in line with the staff regulations in place at the time, which have since been strengthened.
FIFA leadership and the shelved investment plan
Critics and Report Allegations
UEFA criticised FIFA's leadership approach and threatened a potential World Cup boycott over the private investment plan, and the controversy has prompted calls for Infantino to resign.
FIFA, Infantino, and UEFA Defense
Infantino retains support from the Confederation of African Football and South American federations and is expected to seek a fourth and final term as FIFA president.
- Subject
- Gianni Infantino, FIFA president and former UEFA general secretary
- Allegation
- UEFA paid a six-figure sum and funded an MBA course for a former junior employee allegedly in a relationship with Infantino, who allegedly received a 30 per cent pay rise to around £147,000
- Report source
- The Daily Telegraph
- Alleged period
- Infantino's UEFA tenure, 2000-2016
- UEFA's response
- Confirmed the departure payment and MBA fees, saying they complied with staff regulations at the time, which have been tightened since 2016
- Infantino's response
- Strongly denied the allegations, calling them 'categorically untrue' and defamatory
- Related controversy
- FIFA's now-shelved private investment plan, reportedly capable of raising up to $4.2 billion; one report also cited backlash over Infantino overturning US striker Folarin Balogun's red card appeal on Donald Trump's request
- Status
- Infantino expected to seek a fourth and final term at FIFA elections scheduled for next year
