FIFA chief Infantino survives storm, stays president after apology and attack on critics

FIFA president Gianni Infantino will remain in office after issuing a public apology for "errors" in his private investment plans and facing allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a female employee who received a six-figure departure payment.

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, apologised for mistakes in his investment proposals but secured backing from senior executives. FIFA responded to mounting criticism with a statement accusing his detractors of a "concerted and ongoing effort" to destabilise the organisation and its leadership.

The controversy escalated after UEFA confirmed it had made a departure payment to a female employee alleged to have been in a relationship with Infantino during his tenure as UEFA’s general secretary. The payment, described as a six-figure sum, was reportedly made alongside funding for an MBA course, which UEFA said complied with regulations at the time.

FIFA dismissed the allegations as "categorically untrue" and "defamatory", insisting that Infantino was democratically elected by member associations and retains their mandate. A FIFA spokesperson said: "Those who do not have the support of FIFA’s member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA’s established democratic processes."

Infantino’s defenders highlighted his three-decade career in European and global football, framing the recent scrutiny as an attempt to undermine his leadership rather than a reflection of wrongdoing.

The payout and allegations The six-figure payment to the former UEFA employee was first reported by The Daily Telegraph, which linked it to allegations of an inappropriate relationship with Infantino. UEFA confirmed the payment but did not address the nature of the allegations, stating only that the terms were in line with organisational rules.

FIFA’s response was swift and combative, calling the allegations "unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims". The organisation warned against presenting speculation as fact, emphasising that repetition does not validate unproven accusations.

FIFA’s defence and counterattack FIFA’s statement framed the controversy as part of a broader campaign to weaken the organisation. "It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president," the spokesperson said. The statement did not name specific critics but suggested that opposition stems from those lacking support within FIFA’s democratic structures.

Infantino’s apology for errors in his private investment plans was not elaborated upon, but it appeared to address separate concerns from the conduct allegations. His leadership has previously faced scrutiny over governance reforms and commercial deals, though this latest episode marks one of the most direct challenges to his presidency.

What happens next With Infantino retaining the backing of FIFA’s leadership and member associations, the immediate crisis appears to have passed. However, the allegations and the six-figure payout are likely to fuel further debate about transparency and accountability within football’s governing bodies. No formal investigation into the conduct claims has been announced, and FIFA has given no indication that one is planned.