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A report from The Telegraph claimed the affair took place while Infantino was serving as the secretary general of UEFA. To maintain the relationship, he reportedly promoted the woman to a managerial position, which included a 30% pay raise.

Then-UEFA president Michel Platini allegedly became aware of the situation and confronted Infantino, giving him an ultimatum. An agreement was later reached for the woman to leave the organization.

She reportedly received a six-figure severance package, which also included funding for an MBA program at a business school costing about $60,000 per year.

UEFA confirmed that a departure payment was made and that it covered the business school fees. However, the European football governing body stated that the package fully complied with the regulations for departing employees in place at the time.

The European football association added that these regulations have since been tightened to “reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organization,” and did not comment on the alleged affair.

FIFA and Infantino have strongly denied the allegations. A FIFA spokesperson called the claims “categorically untrue” and “defamatory,” emphasizing that no complaints regarding Infantino’s conduct were ever filed at either organization, according to BBC.

Infantino worked at UEFA from 2000 to 2016. Born in 1970, the Swiss lawyer served as UEFA’s deputy general secretary starting in 2007 and as general secretary, a position second in power only to the president, from 2009. Platini served as the organization’s president from 2007 to 2015.

Infantino married Leena Al Ashqar in 2001, and the couple has four children.

In 2016, following the resignation of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, Infantino was elected as his successor. He was subsequently re-elected in 2019 and 2023.

Infantino is seeking re-election for the upcoming term scheduled for March 2027. However, his position has been shaken significantly following a series of controversies, including the awarding of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump in December 2025, and the unprecedented decision to suspend the red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun ahead of the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium.

Recently, Infantino faced widespread backlash over a plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors. Facing a wave of fierce opposition and boycott threats from European federations, this plan was ultimately scrapped.

UEFA has emerged as one of Infantino’s strongest critics and is reportedly leading efforts to oust him, even threatening to boycott all FIFA tournaments.

However, the FIFA president may still command support from member associations in Africa, South America, and Asia, potentially enough to overcome any challenges leading up to the 2027 election. Last week, the Mexican Football Federation reportedly went against CONCACAF’s stance of opposing Infantino.