Telegraph: Infantino had UEFA pay his mistress a generous severance package
According to an investigation by the British newspaper, Infantino is alleged to have arranged for his mistress to be paid off by UEFA – whilst he was its general secretary – with a six-figure severance payment
More dark clouds on the horizon for the president of FIFA Gianni Infantino. Following the UEFA ‘rebellion’ against his management of world football, The Telegraph has now published a report that further complicates matters for the official, who has long been at the centre of controversy. According to an investigation by the British newspaper, Infantino is alleged to have arranged for his mistress to be paid off by UEFA, whilst he was its general secretary, with a six-figure severance package. Infantino, however, denies everything, with a spokesperson stating that “the president strongly denies all allegations”, describing the claims as “categorically false and defamatory”.
However, according to *The Telegraph*, which has gathered testimonies from colleagues and executives at UEFA, during their relationship Infantino – who is married with four children – is said to have also helped the woman’s career progression. Furthermore, after she left UEFA, the organisation is said to have funded her MBA at a business school.
Severance pay
In a statement issued on Friday evening, UEFA emphasised: “We are aware of the allegations and can confirm that a severance payment was made to the individual in question, together with the payment of fees for an MBA course at a local business school. The payment was in accordance with the regulations in force at the time for departing staff. These regulations were tightened in 2016, and the current staff regulations – which apply to all UEFA employees at every level – reflect those of a modern, high-profile organisation,” UEFA concluded.
According to the newspaper’s investigation, Michel Platini, then president of UEFA and whose Infantino was his right-hand man at the time, is said to have, upon learning of the relationship between the two, demanded the resignation of one or the other, before eventually deciding on a severance package. The former French champion, contacted by journalists from the British newspaper, declined to comment.
