FIFA chief Gianni Infantino is denying a report that inappropriate conduct was behind a six-figure “departure payment” made to a woman during his years as general secretary at the Union of European Football Associations.
UEFA Confirms Payout
UEFA confirmed the woman’s payout, noting that while it was not out of line at the time, internal regulations have since been “tightened.”
The British newspaper The Telegraph first reported allegations that the woman was paid because of an affair with the beleaguered head of world football.
Infantino “strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue,” a FIFA spokesperson told The Telegraph.
Pressure on FIFA
Ever since Infantino and FIFA’s controversial plans to sell partial commercial and operational rights to the World Cup were leaked two weeks ago, soccer’s world governing body has come under immense pressure, even after those plans were scrapped.
UEFA, which counts some of the world’s most powerful soccer nations among its members, has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, and publicly declared its loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
