UEFA Confirms Payments to Former Infantino Employee Amidst FIFA Investor Plan Withdrawal

UEFA has confirmed making severance payments and financing MBA studies for a former employee of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, dating back to his tenure as UEFA General Secretary. The European football governing body confirmed reports that the woman received a substantial, minimum six-figure sum upon her departure in 2011.

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We are aware of the allegations and can confirm that a severance payment was made to the individual concerned, as well as payment for the fees of an MBA course at a local business school.

UEFA stated that the payments were in line with regulations in place at the time, though these regulations have since been strengthened. "We are aware of the allegations and can confirm that a severance payment was made to the individual concerned, as well as payment for the fees of an MBA course at a local business school," UEFA communicated in response to inquiries.

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Any suggestion of inappropriate conduct or violation of regulations is defamatory.

Infantino himself has rejected any personal involvement or interest in the employee's career progression. The FIFA president, who moved from administrative roles to a better-paid leadership position, has labeled any implication of inappropriate behavior or regulatory breaches as slanderous. A statement attributed to FIFA described such suggestions as defamatory.

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After a day full of constructive and positive discussions with members of the FIFA management, it was a joy to watch a Women's Africa Cup match between Malawi and Zambia.

This confirmation comes amid broader discussions about FIFA's governance and financial dealings. Recently, FIFA announced it had withdrawn plans to sell commercial rights to its tournaments to private investors. Following a crisis meeting in Morocco, FIFA leadership expressed "unreserved support" for Infantino, while acknowledging that the investor plans should have been handled differently to avoid making council and member associations feel excluded. FIFA also stated it would not tolerate attacks on its integrity.

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There is unity that it was not intended to give the Council and the member associations of the world association the feeling of being excluded from the process.