FIFA has hit back at alleged efforts to undermine the governing body and president Gianni Infantino, following UEFA’s confirmation of a departure payment made to a female employee who allegedly had a relationship with Infantino during his time as UEFA general secretary.
FIFA has hit back at “a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine” the governing body and president Gianni Infantino following claims about his conduct at UEFA.
UEFA acknowledged on Saturday that a “departure payment” was made to a female employee who was allegedly involved romantically with Infantino during his time as the European organisation’s general secretary – a claim Infantino refutes.
It was reported that the woman received a six-figure settlement, with UEFA confirming a payment was made along with funding for an MBA course, saying it was “in line” with regulations at the time.
The claims heap additional pressure on Infantino, who spent 16 years at UEFA and held the position of general secretary from 2009 to 2016 before becoming FIFA president, after his unsuccessful bid to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.
While not directly responding to UEFA’s statement, FIFA accused Infantino’s critics of trying to weaken his authority and oust him from office without following proper re-election procedures.
A lengthy statement said: “It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president.
“Those who do not have the support of FIFA’s member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA’s established democratic processes.
“Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its president. Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true.
“The FIFA president has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football, contributing to significant change in the game and, in particular, to broadening access, resources and opportunity across world football.
“Change inevitably challenges established interests, but disagreement with that change cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of FIFA’s president or the institution he was elected to lead.
“FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny. But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress. Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously.
“FIFA’s responsibility is to its 211 member associations and to football around the world. We will not be distracted or diverted from strengthening the organisation, delivering for our member associations and continuing the work of making football truly global. Through the FIFA president and the FIFA administration, our focus remains firmly on that mission, and we are more determined than ever to fulfil it.”
Infantino’s contentious proposal was dismissed by UEFA and two other continental confederations.
On Wednesday, Infantino secured support from FIFA’s management board after a meeting in Morocco, and offered an apology regarding how the process had been conducted.
UEFA’s warning that its 55 member nations would boycott FIFA competitions until the scheme was scrapped remains unchanged, with the European body declaring on Thursday that Wednesday’s statement “changes nothing”.
After the Daily Telegraph’s revelations on Friday, a FIFA spokesperson was quoted as telling the publication that Infantino “strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations”.
A UEFA spokesperson said: “We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for a MBA course at a local business school.
“The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time.
“Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations – which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level – reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation.”