Gianni Infantino faces pressure to resign amid UEFA pay-off allegations
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is under increasing scrutiny as allegations surface regarding a payoff connected to an alleged affair during his tenure as UEFA’s general secretary, which he has categorically denied, reports BritPanorama.
According to The Telegraph, a woman involved, a junior employee, received a six-figure sum after purportedly having an affair with Infantino. This individual reportedly received both a promotion and a 30% salary increase during their alleged relationship.
UEFA acknowledged that a departure payment was indeed made to the woman, alongside funding for her MBA. In their statement, they asserted, “The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time.”
Michel Platini, who served as UEFA president while Infantino held his previous position, allegedly raised concerns about the matter directly with Infantino.
Infantino, who became FIFA’s president in 2016 following Sepp Blatter’s exit, had been anticipated to seek a fourth term at the upcoming FIFA congress in Morocco in March. However, the current controversy threatens his position, coinciding with complaints about his conduct at FIFA, which the organization denies.
A spokesperson for FIFA responded to the allegations, stating, “FIFA President Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue.” In light of this situation, UEFA may withdraw from all FIFA tournaments as long as Infantino remains in charge, a move that could cause significant financial ramifications for FIFA.
Norwegian FA President Lise Klaveness has voiced her intent to lodge a complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee regarding Infantino. Despite growing dissent, Infantino maintains support from various football federations across Africa, South America, and Asia, which may be pivotal during the looming elections.
With the FA retracting its support for his re-election, the coming months will be crucial for Infantino as the landscape within football governance evolves, revealing how fragile alliances can impact leadership in the sport.
