Add The New York Post on Google Gianni Infantino’s FIFA woes have hit a new low.
Infantino allegedly had a relationship with an employee during his time as secretary general at UEFA, and the organization paid her off following the relationship, according to a bombshell report from The Telegraph.
The mistress was paid out a six-figure sum following the pair’s alleged relationship, with UEFA revealing in a statement to The Telegraph that it was aware of the allegations and that it has “tightened” its regulations to “reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organization.”
Infantino, who is married with four children, also allegedly promoted the woman, a junior employee, to a management position during their relationship, and UEFA reportedly paid for the mistress’ MBA after she left the governing body, according to The Telegraph.
“We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for an MBA course at a local business school,” UEFA said in a statement to The Telegraph. “The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time.
“Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations — which apply to all Uefa employees at whatever level — reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organization.”
The embattled FIFA boss initially joined UEFA in 2000 and worked there for 16 years before leaving to lead the global governing body in February 2016. It’s unclear exactly when during his tenure the alleged relationship occurred, but The Telegraph reported that it was after his promotion to secretary general in 2009.
UEFA’s president at the time, Michel Platini, reportedly challenged Infantino over the alleged inappropriate relationship before an agreement was reached that she would leave with a pay-off.
A source told The Telegraph that Infantino “made a huge mistake and it almost cost him his career. People (within UEFA) were telling Platini, ‘You have to fire him.’”
The outlet reported that Platini ultimately issued Infantino an ultimatum, saying that either he or the alleged mistress would have to leave.
FIFA shot down the reports against its president in a statement to The Telegraph, however, with a spokesperson saying that Infantino has not received any complaints from fellow employees about his behavior.
“FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory,” the spokesperson told The Telegraph. “No employee at Uefa and Fifa has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr. Infantino’s behavior because there never was an incident where he was involved.
“All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations.”
Infantino met his wife, Leena Al Ashqar, when she was working for the Lebanese Football Federation. They got married in 2001 before having four daughters together.
It’s unclear if Al Ashqar was aware of Infantino’s alleged relationship.
The bombshell allegations come as Infantino has faced a mountain of criticism within the sport after his failed attempt to privatize the World Cup.
UEFA unanimously voted to boycott the World Cup — along with all other FIFA-organized competitions — if Infantino went through with his $20 billion plan to sell off the World Cup to Josh Kushner’s private equity firm.
Concacaf, North and Central American and Caribbean soccer’s governing body, and the Asian Football Confederation also rejected the proposal.
The bungled proposal has resulted in growing pressure for Infantino to resign from his job. The Post reported Monday that he begged President Donald Trump’s administration to save his job.
Infantino has sought talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to try to protect his job.
“He wanted to get online with the secretary and talk about how soccer can be a form of soft power for America,” an insider previously told The Post. “But we all know that it is about job protection.
“It is not about anything else at this point.”
The Post has reached out to FIFA and UEFA for further comment.
