The British Telegraph has published an extensive investigation into the alleged relationship between Gianni Infantino and a younger employee during his time as UEFA's general secretary. The woman was reportedly promoted, and upon her departure received a six-figure severance package and paid tuition for her studies.
The president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, has found himself at the center of serious allegations after the British daily The Telegraph published an investigation on Friday, August 7, 2026, into his alleged affair with a younger employee while he served as the general secretary of the European Football Association (UEFA). According to the report, Infantino, who is married and the father of four children, allegedly used funds from the European football governing body to pay the woman a severance package and finance her business education.
Citing multiple witnesses and former senior UEFA officials, the alleged relationship began while the woman worked in an administrative position. During the affair, Infantino reportedly promoted her to a managerial role, accompanied by a 30 percent salary increase. After the relationship was discovered, her departure from the organization was arranged with a severance package amounting to at least six figures. Additionally, UEFA paid for her one-year MBA program at a local business school, costing £45,000. According to reports, her monthly salary after the promotion was £147,000.
A key moment, according to testimonies given to The Telegraph, occurred when then-UEFA president Michel Platini learned of the alleged affair. One informed source recounted:
"He made a huge mistake that nearly cost him his career. People [within UEFA] were telling Platini: 'You have to fire him.'"
Another source added that Platini directly confronted Infantino:
"Platini confronted Gianni with a choice, saying something like: 'Her or you?' to which Gianni replied: 'She's leaving', and she left."Following that conversation, the woman left UEFA, and Infantino reportedly used his connections to secure her a new, well-paid job in a similar field.
In a statement released on Friday evening, UEFA confirmed the financial transactions.
"We are aware of the allegations and can confirm that the individual in question received a severance payment, and that her master's studies at a local business school were also paid for. The payment was made in accordance with the rules in force at the time. Since 2016, the rules have been changed and tightened, applying to all UEFA employees at all levels and reflecting a modern organization,"said a UEFA spokesperson.
On the other hand, FIFA strongly denied all allegations.
"FIFA President Gianni Infantino rejects all allegations and categorically states that they are untrue. Any insinuations of misconduct or violations of statutes and regulations are malicious. No employee at UEFA or FIFA has ever filed a complaint about Mr. Infantino's conduct because there was never any reason for such a thing or any incident involving him. All actions in relations with employees, including severance payments upon departure, have always been carried out in accordance with the rules,"said a FIFA spokesperson.
The case has led to two conflicting versions. While The Telegraph and the witnesses it spoke to describe a serious scandal that nearly cost Infantino his career at UEFA before he became FIFA's president in 2016, FIFA's official position is that all allegations are false and malicious. UEFA, for its part, acknowledges that the payments were made but insists that everything was in line with the regulations in force at the time, which were subsequently tightened. Michel Platini, whose name is mentioned as a key figure in resolving the situation, did not respond to The Telegraph's request for comment.
