Infantino Faces New Allegations Over UEFA-Era Promotion and Payout

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing fresh scrutiny after Dutch media reported that he promoted a woman he allegedly had a romantic relationship with during his time at UEFA and later arranged a significant severance payment for her. The claims were published by Sportnieuws.nl and AD.nl on Saturday, August 8, 2026. According to the reports, Infantino gave the woman a promotion while he served as UEFA's general secretary, and she subsequently received a substantial exit package. The outlets did not name the woman or provide specific figures. The allegations add to a growing list of controversies surrounding Infantino's leadership. The reports come as Infantino continues to draw criticism from multiple quarters. NU.nl noted that Mexico and Argentina have publicly backed him despite the mounting pressure. Meanwhile, WNL reported that a Canadian candidate is being mentioned as a potential successor, with some observers suggesting his tenure may be nearing its end. In a separate development, De Telegraaf reported that Infantino attended the inauguration of Colombia's newly elected right-wing president amid the ongoing crisis. The appearance underscores his efforts to maintain diplomatic ties even as questions about his conduct intensify.  The latest allegations focus on Infantino's conduct before he became FIFA president in 2016. He led UEFA's administration from 2009, and the reported events would have occurred during that period. Neither Infantino nor FIFA has publicly responded to the new claims as of this writing. What to watch next: Whether FIFA's governing council or external investigators will formally address the allegations, and if the reported Canadian successor candidate gains further traction in the weeks ahead.