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UEFA paid alleged lover of Gianni Infantino, The Telegraph claims; Infantino denies
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

UEFA paid alleged lover of Gianni Infantino, The Telegraph claims; Infantino denies

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The Telegraph reported that UEFA paid a sum of money to Gianni Infantino's alleged lover when he was secretary general of the European football body.
  • Infantino, now FIFA president, has categorically denied the allegations, calling them "categorically false."
  • UEFA confirmed a severance payment was made to the woman, stating it complied with regulations at the time.

British newspaper The Telegraph has reported that UEFA, European football's governing body, allegedly paid a significant sum of money to a woman described as Gianni Infantino's lover during his tenure as secretary general. Infantino, who now serves as president of FIFA, has vehemently denied these claims, labeling them "categorically false."

categorically false

— Gianni Infantino spokespersonDenying the allegations reported by The Telegraph.

The report suggests that Infantino promoted the subordinate employee to a management position while they were in a relationship between 2000 and 2016. According to sources cited by The Telegraph, Infantino allegedly ensured she received a substantial severance package upon her departure from the organization. The report further claims that then-UEFA President Michel Platini confronted Infantino about the alleged affair, leading to an agreement for his resignation in exchange for a payment of "at least six figures" and funding for an MBA program.

UEFA acknowledged that a severance payment was made to the individual, whose identity has not been revealed. A spokesperson confirmed the payment, along with the cost of an MBA at a local business school, stating that the compensation adhered to the regulations for departing staff at that time. UEFA noted that its policies have since been tightened.

We are aware of the allegations and can confirm that a severance payment was made to the person in question, along with the payment of fees for an MBA at a local business school.

— UEFA spokespersonConfirming a payment was made to the employee.

The Telegraph's report indicates the woman, initially in an administrative role, received a rapid promotion and a 30% salary increase, reaching an annual salary of approximately 160,000 Swiss francs. Infantino, currently navigating internal FIFA challenges, has dismissed the accusations through a spokesperson, asserting that any suggestion of misconduct is defamatory and that no employee complaints have ever been filed against him.

Any insinuation of misconduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.

— FIFA spokespersonResponding to the allegations against Infantino.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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