FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing mounting pressure after The Telegraph reported alleged misconduct dating back to his time as UEFA secretary general, adding to a political crisis over his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump and his handling of World Cup commercial rights.
As reported by IRAF, according to an investigative report by The Telegraph, Infantino had an alleged inappropriate relationship with a female UEFA employee who was junior to him while he was serving as the European governing body’s secretary general.
The woman was promoted during the period in which the alleged relationship took place, the newspaper reported. After she left UEFA, the organisation also paid for her MBA course at a business school.
The Telegraph further reported that she received a six-figure severance package when she left UEFA.
Infantino, who is married and has four children, was directly involved in the employee’s promotion, according to the report. Payments made after her departure reportedly raised concerns among senior UEFA officials.
UEFA confirmed that such a payment had been made and said it had since tightened its internal rules.
Political crisis deepens
The allegations come as Infantino faces a separate political crisis over his dealings with Trump and a plan to sell part of FIFA’s World Cup commercial rights to private investors.
The proposal, reportedly involving people close to Trump, faced strong opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), forcing Infantino to withdraw the plan, according to the report.
Following the setback, UEFA said it had lost confidence in Infantino and called for a change at the top of FIFA.
The European governing body said what it described as Infantino’s “secretive and non-transparent plans” had damaged world football and that those responsible should be held accountable.
Calls for no-confidence vote
The Telegraph reported that UEFA and its member associations were considering a no-confidence vote against Infantino and had even discussed the possibility of boycotting FIFA competitions if his policies continued.
Infantino has sought to shore up internal support in recent meetings with senior FIFA officials, but tensions between him and the major continental confederations have continued to grow, according to the report.
In a separate report, The Telegraph said UEFA had given Infantino an ultimatum: resign or face a formal vote to remove him.
All 55 UEFA member associations are reportedly prepared to vote in favour of his removal in a no-confidence vote.
The developments put Infantino under unprecedented pressure and add a new dimension to the questions surrounding his leadership of world football.
