FIFA has come forward to support its president, Gianni Infantino, in response to what it perceives as a deliberate and persistent attempt to undermine his leadership within the organization. This statement was issued on Saturday, following a report from The Daily Telegraph questioning a severance package provided by UEFA to a female staff member who previously collaborated with Infantino during his tenure as the general secretary of European soccer’s governing body.
UEFA acknowledged making a “departure payment” to the employee and clarified that it complied with the regulations at the time. Infantino’s tenure at UEFA spanned 16 years before his election as FIFA president.
In its recent statement, FIFA criticized those criticizing Infantino, alleging that they are aiming to weaken his position and push for his removal without following the due process. The statement highlighted that there is a coordinated effort to destabilize FIFA and its president, emphasizing that individuals lacking the backing of FIFA’s member associations should not resort to unfounded allegations, insinuations, or misinformation to achieve their objectives.
FIFA emphasized that certain reports have included claims that are not supported by evidence and are factually inaccurate, cautioning against presenting such assertions as truths. The organization stressed the importance of upholding FIFA’s democratic processes and respecting the mandate given to its president.
Amidst the backlash faced by Infantino over his proposal to sell World Cup profits to private equity, he received support from FIFA’s management board after a meeting in Morocco. Infantino expressed regret over the handling of the process. However, UEFA, along with two other continental confederations, rejected the plan. Despite FIFA’s management board backing Infantino, UEFA maintained its stance, threatening to have its 55 member countries boycott FIFA competitions until the plan was abandoned.
Regarding the exit payment made to the staffer, UEFA clarified that it adhered to the regulations applicable at the time. The organization noted that the rules have since been updated and now align with the standards expected in a modern and prominent institution.