UEFA Acknowledges Allegations Against Gianni Infantino

UEFA has acknowledged it is aware of an allegation that European football’s governing body paid off an alleged mistress of Gianni Infantino during his time in Switzerland.

The claim, first reported by The Telegraph, centres on a woman said to have been in a relationship with Infantino while he served as UEFA’s general secretary. According to the report, the woman received a six-figure sum after leaving the organisation, with UEFA footing the bill for her MBA at a local business school.

The story strikes at the heart of football’s political establishment. Infantino, now FIFA president, moved to UEFA in 2000 and rose through the ranks before departing in 2016 to take charge of the world governing body. Those final years at UEFA are now under fresh scrutiny.

FIFA has hit back hard. In a statement to The Telegraph, a FIFA spokesperson said: “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.

“No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino's behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved. All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations.”

UEFA, speaking to Sky Sports News, did not dispute that a payment was made. The organisation confirmed that a departure settlement and MBA fees were paid to the individual in question, stressing that the package complied with staff rules in force at the time.

In its statement, UEFA 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 an 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.”

That line is significant. It acknowledges the payment, defends its legality under previous rules, and points to a post-2016 clean-up of internal procedures. The timing coincides with Infantino’s exit for FIFA and the sport’s broader push to distance itself from the governance scandals of the previous decade.

For now, there are no formal accusations of wrongdoing from any judicial body, only the detailed media report and the firm denials from FIFA. UEFA has chosen to stand on regulatory compliance rather than personal defence of its former executive.

Sky Sports News has contacted FIFA for further comment. The response – or lack of it – will shape how long this story lingers over the game’s most powerful office.