Gianni Infantino: UEFA ‘said to have favoured’ ex-employee amid affair claims | OneFootball

According to The Telegraph, UEFA favoured a former employee who allegedly had a relationship with Gianni Infantino during his spell as general secretary, allegations he strongly denies as FIFA president.

Infantino has also been under pressure in recent days, having lost key support internally and from UEFA and Concacaf, which pushed back against his now-abandoned plan to further privatise football.

The report centred on financial arrangements involving a former staff member described as Infantino’s supposed mistress, while he served as UEFA general secretary from 2009 to 2016.

It said she received a six-figure settlement on departure, and the organisation funded an MBA at a leading business school.

The report added that Infantino, married since 2001 to Leena Al Ashqar and father of four, used contacts to help her find a new job after she had already been promoted during their relationship.

Michel Platini, then UEFA president, was said to have confronted Infantino, telling him it was either her or him. He did not respond to the outlet on the matter.

UEFA confirmed a payment had been made and said it was aware of allegations about a relationship, adding that its rules have since been tightened to reflect modern leading-organisation standards.

FIFA rejected the claims, with an Infantino spokesperson calling them defamatory. Infantino became FIFA president in 2016 after 16 years at UEFA.

Source: L'Équipe

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