Infantino denies payments to former partner amid new FIFA scandal

FIFA has publicly rejected fresh allegations that the organisation channelled money to a former partner of its president, Gianni Infantino, calling the claims unfounded as scrutiny around the governing body intensifies.

In a brief statement issued after the report surfaced, FIFA said the president "strongly rejects these allegations and emphasizes that they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate behaviour or breach of rules amounts to slander. No employee at UEFA or FIFA has ever complained about Mr Infantino’s conduct and there were no incidents."

What the accusations say

The accusations assert that payments — reported to be a six‑figure sum in euros — were made, with an allegation that they passed via UEFA to a woman with whom Infantino had a relationship during his time in the European governing body. The story was first carried by a British news outlet.

FIFA and UEFA have both issued denials of the specific claims. Infantino served at UEFA beginning in 2000 and spent 16 years with the organisation before moving to FIFA; reports say the alleged relationship involved a younger colleague who also worked at UEFA.

The new controversy arrives amid a broader period of turbulence for Infantino, following disputes with member associations over his proposed plans to sell a stake in the World Cup to U.S. investors — a proposal FIFA ultimately abandoned. With FIFA presidential elections scheduled in Rabat in 2027, observers say the Swiss official has lost the backing of many former allies and could face a weakened position going into the vote.

For now, both FIFA and UEFA maintain there is no internal record of complaints about Infantino’s conduct, and the president has categorically denied any wrongdoing as investigations and public debate continue.

Photo: El Comentario (X)