FIFA Stands Behind Infantino Amid Allegations From His UEFA Tenure

FIFA released a statement Saturday defending its president, Gianni Infantino, against what the organization characterized as a “concerted and ongoing effort” to weaken his leadership. The defense came one day after The Daily Telegraph published an investigation questioning an exit payment UEFA provided to a female employee who worked alongside Infantino during his tenure as the European soccer body’s general secretary.

UEFA acknowledged that a “departure payment” was issued to the departing employee and maintained the compensation adhered to regulations in effect at that time. Infantino spent 16 years in various roles at UEFA before winning election as FIFA president.

In its statement, FIFA accused detractors of attempting to strip Infantino of authority and force his removal without following proper procedures. The organization contended that critics who lack backing from FIFA member associations are attempting to achieve their objectives through “allegation, insinuation or misinformation” rather than through established governance channels.

FIFA claimed portions of recent reporting contained “unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims” that have been treated as factual. The statement stressed that organizational change naturally provokes resistance from entrenched interests, but such disagreement does not justify campaigns to undermine the democratically mandated authority of FIFA’s leadership.

Infantino’s position faced significant pressure following revelations about his proposal to monetize World Cup profits by selling them to private equity investors. UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation all rejected the plan, with UEFA threatening to withdraw its 55 member nations from FIFA competitions unless it was abandoned.

The FIFA management board offered Infantino backing following a Wednesday meeting in Morocco, during which he apologized for the handling of the proposal. UEFA reiterated Thursday that the apology failed to alter its position, leaving the confederation’s boycott threat in place.