Infantino's alleged affair led to six-figure UEFA payout, report says

UEFA has confirmed that a former employee received a substantial severance package and had her studies paid for by the organization, following allegations of an "office romance" with then-General Secretary Gianni Infantino. The Telegraph reported that the woman's swift rise through the ranks, including a 30% salary increase to approximately 170,000 euros annually, had caused unease among her colleagues.

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He made a huge mistake that almost cost him his career. People inside UEFA told M. Platini: 'You have to fire him.'

Sources told The Telegraph that the relationship was an "open secret" within UEFA, and her rapid promotion fueled suspicions that Infantino, who joined UEFA in 2000 and served as General Secretary from 2009 to 2016, may have abused his position. The situation reportedly led to a significant crisis for Infantino, then president of FIFA.

According to a source cited by The Telegraph, then-UEFA President Michel Platini confronted Infantino about the alleged affair, demanding he either dismiss the employee or resign. "He made a huge mistake that almost cost him his career," the source told the British publication. "People inside UEFA told M. Platini: 'You have to fire him.'"

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We are aware of these allegations and can confirm that the individual in question received a severance payment and her studies at a local business school were paid for.

UEFA confirmed that the individual received a severance payment and had her studies at a local business school, costing £45,000 per year, covered. The organization stated that the payout complied with rules at the time, though these have since been tightened. FIFA representatives have stated that Infantino categorically denies all allegations, calling the news "untrue."

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Gianni Infantino categorically denies all the accusations leveled against him.