Gianni Infantino's alleged lover received Uefa severance payment amid FIFA crisis

A Daily Telegraph investigation reported that a woman described as Gianni Infantino's alleged lover received a severance payment from Uefa in connection with the affair while he served as the organisation's general secretary. Uefa confirmed the payment and opened a review of the six-figure sum paid in 2011. Infantino rose through Uefa before becoming Fifa president, a trajectory marked by controversy over his leadership style and financial decisions. His attempt to sell a stake in World Cup rights to private investors collapsed in recent months, triggering a crisis at the global governing body and drawing scrutiny over his past dealings. The revelations come as Infantino faces mounting pressure to resign, with The Guardian urging his departure for the sake of the sport. Uefa's relationship with him is described as irreparably damaged, while questions remain about the payment, his alleged promotion of the woman, and a separate Bild report questioning whether Fifa covered school fees for his daughter. The situation is unresolved, with investigations and internal reviews ongoing.

How the 2011 payment emerged amid Infantino's rise at Uefa

A Daily Telegraph investigation has revealed that a woman later identified as Gianni Infantino’s alleged lover received a six‑figure severance payment from Uefa in 2011, when Infantino was serving as the organisation’s general secretary.

The payment was made as she left Uefa. At the time she was said to have received a sudden pay rise and was promoted, moves that have been cited in the allegations. Her departure came about 15 years before the investigation was published, in a year when she left the organisation.

Infantino’s career trajectory was already on an upward path; he was poised to succeed to the presidency of Fifa, having climbed through the ranks of European football governance. The revelation emerged amid growing scrutiny of his leadership, as his plan to sell a stake in World Cup broadcasting rights to private investors collapsed and ignited a crisis within Fifa’s governing bodies.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Uefa confirmed the severance payment and announced a review of the transaction. The Guardian published an editorial urging Infantino to step down for the sake of the sport, while Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has been described as Infantino’s principal opponent in the dispute.

A separate Bild report questioned whether Fifa had paid school fees for a daughter of Infantino, who was 54 at the time of the report in December 2024. German tabloid Bild raised the issue but did not confirm any payment.

Infantino convened a crisis meeting in Rabat as criticism mounted and allegations of blackmail were directed at Fifa. The controversy has intensified calls for his resignation, even as some South American officials have publicly praised his work during a recent visit to Colombia.

The emerging details underscore the intersection of personal conduct, financial settlements, and governance challenges facing the head of world football.

The failed investor plan and the crisis that followed

The proposal to sell a stake in the rights to broadcast the men's World Cup to private investors collapsed, plunging Fifa into a crisis. The plan had been championed by Gianni Infantino as a way to generate new revenue, but it faced strong opposition from several European football associations. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin led the resistance, rallying European bodies to question the move and demand greater transparency. The fallout deepened existing tensions between Fifa’s leadership and continental governing bodies, eroding trust in Infantino’s vision for the sport’s commercial future.

The failed investor plan marked a turning point, exposing fractures within world football’s governance. Ceferin’s vocal opposition underscored European scepticism toward Infantino’s broader reforms, which included restructuring Fifa’s finances and expanding the World Cup. The collapse of the proposal intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership, particularly amid allegations surrounding a severance payment to a woman linked to him during his tenure as Uefa general secretary.

The episode amplified calls for Infantino to step down, with The Guardian publishing an editorial urging his resignation for the good of the game. Uefa confirmed it was reviewing the 2011 payment to the woman, who had left the organisation while Infantino was its general secretary, though details remain under scrutiny. The crisis has yet to subside, with Infantino fighting to retain his position as Fifa president while investigations and public criticism continue to mount.

Daily Telegraph investigation and Uefa's confirmation of the payment

A recent Daily Telegraph investigation reported that the woman described as Gianni Infantino's alleged lover received a severance payment from Uefa in connection with an affair during his tenure as general secretary. Uefa confirmed the payment and opened a review into the matter. The report has intensified scrutiny of Infantino's conduct and contributed to growing pressure for his resignation as Fifa president. The woman left Uefa in 2011 after reportedly receiving a six‑figure severance sum while Infantino was still Uefa general secretary. According to the allegations, she received a sudden pay rise and a promotion shortly before her departure, which occurred roughly 15 years ago. The investigation adds to a series of controversies surrounding Infantino, including his failed attempt to sell a stake in World Cup rights to private investors, which triggered a broader crisis at Fifa. He convened a crisis meeting in Rabat as criticism mounted and allegations of blackmail emerged. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has emerged as his most vocal opponent, rallying European associations against Infantino’s investor plans. The Guardian has called for Infantino to step down, arguing it is in the sport’s best interest. As of December 2024, Infantino remains Fifa president, but his position continues to face intense scrutiny and unresolved questions about the payment and related conduct.

Reactions from media and football authorities

The Guardian published an editorial calling for Gianni Infantino to step down, saying his continued presence threatens the integrity of global football. Bild questioned whether FIFA had paid school fees for a daughter of Infantino, who was 54 at the time of the report. A South American football official praised Infantino during a visit to Colombia, underscoring the divided reaction to the allegations. The Guardian’s stance reflects growing pressure on Infantino from media voices demanding accountability. Bild’s query adds to the scrutiny surrounding Infantino’s personal conduct and financial ties to FIFA. CONMEBOL’s public endorsement highlights the split among football authorities, with some backing Infantino while others remain silent. The Guardian’s call for resignation has intensified calls for Infantino’s departure, while Bild’s school‑fee question keeps the controversy alive. Both outlets illustrate how media narratives are shaping the ongoing debate over Infantino’s future at FIFA. The Guardian’s editorial has amplified demands for Infantino’s exit, reflecting mounting pressure from media and football stakeholders. Meanwhile, Bild’s inquiry into school‑fee payments has added another layer of controversy to the unfolding scandal. The Guardian’s argument for Infantino’s resignation has resonated across football circles, intensifying the scrutiny on his leadership. Bild’s report questioning FIFA’s financial support for Infantino’s daughter has amplified public doubt, prompting further media scrutiny. CONMEBOL’s public praise of Infantino during a Colombia visit underscores the split in football’s response to the allegations. This divided reaction illustrates the deepening crisis as media and football bodies clash over Infantino’s future. The Guardian’s editorial has become a rallying point for critics demanding Infantino’s removal, while Bild’s school‑fee question has kept the controversy alive. CONMEBOL’s endorsement of Infantino during a Colombia visit highlights the polarized stance within football authorities. Such contrasting narratives reflect the broader uncertainty surrounding Infantino’s position amid escalating scrutiny. The Guardian’s call for Infantino to step down has intensified pressure from media and football stakeholders. Meanwhile, Bild’s inquiry into school‑fee payments has added another layer of controversy to the unfolding scandal. CONMEBOL

Timeline of events from 2011 to December 2024

In 2011 a Uefa employee later identified as Gianni Infantino’s alleged lover left the organisation with a severance payment, reportedly a six‑figure sum, while Infantino was Uefa’s general secretary. During his tenure the woman allegedly received a sudden pay rise and was promoted by him.

December 2024 saw German tabloid Bild raise the question of whether Fifa covered school fees for a daughter of Infantino, then 54 years old.

Infantino’s attempt to sell a stake in World Cup broadcasting rights to private investors collapsed, sparking a broader crisis at Fifa. The failed plan led to a crisis meeting convened in Rabat, where criticism and allegations of blackmail intensified.

A Daily Telegraph investigation reported that the woman received the Uefa severance payment linked to the affair; Uefa confirmed the payment and opened a review.

The Guardian published an editorial calling for Infantino’s resignation, while UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin emerged as his most vocal opponent, rallying European associations behind him.

Infantino now faces mounting pressure to remain Fifa president, with his position under continued scrutiny.

Questions remain unanswered: the exact timing of the Daily Telegraph report, the precise amount beyond the six‑figure figure, the result of Uefa’s review, Infantino’s public response, when the investor plan collapsed, and whether school fees were actually paid.

Current status of Infantino's position and ongoing scrutiny

Infantino faces growing calls to resign as Fifa president, with The Guardian and other outlets urging his departure. Uefa has said its relationship with him is lastingly damaged, but has not specified the rupture. A crisis meeting in Rabat highlighted the depth of the dispute. Infantino remains in office and is fighting to keep it.

The 2011 payment emerged while Infantino served as Uefa general secretary, a role he held before becoming Fifa president. During his tenure, a woman later described as his alleged lover received a sudden pay rise and was promoted, later leaving Uefa with a severance package. According to a Daily Telegraph investigation, the payment was six figures and linked to the affair. Uefa confirmed the payment and opened a review, though the exact amount and outcome remain undisclosed.

The failed plan to sell stakes in World Cup rights to private investors sparked a broader crisis at Fifa. Infantino convened a crisis meeting in Rabat amid mounting criticism and allegations of blackmail. While a South American official praised his work during a Colombia visit, Uefa’s public statement that its relationship with him is lastingly damaged underscored the strain.

The Guardian’s editorial called for his resignation, arguing it served the game’s interests. Infantino has not publicly responded to the severance allegations or the school‑fee question raised by Bild. The investigation’s timing, the precise payment figure, and the results of Uefa’s review are still unclear. Further scrutiny will focus on whether Infantino can withstand the pressure and retain his position.

Unresolved questions and next steps

The investigation by the Daily Telegraph into the alleged severance payment to a woman described as Gianni Infantino's former lover remains undated, and the exact size of the payment beyond being a six-figure sum is not publicly known. Uefa has not yet completed its review of the 2011 payment, and neither Infantino nor Fifa have issued a public statement addressing the allegations. The proposed sale of World Cup rights to private investors stalled, contributing to the current crisis, while Infantino convened a crisis meeting in Rabat amid mounting scrutiny. Media outlets including The Guardian have called for his resignation, and Uefa has indicated that its relationship with Infantino is severely damaged. Ongoing scrutiny continues as questions persist about the payment, the failed investor plan, and related claims such as those reported by Bild regarding school fees.

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