New scandal surrounds Infantino: he is accused of paying a large sum of money to his mistress while working at UEFA

A new scandal has erupted around Gianni Infantino: he is accused of paying a large sum of money to his mistress while working at UEFA.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has found himself at the center of another scandal. This time, according to The Telegraph, the Swiss official sponsored his mistress from the organization's budget while working at UEFA.

**"Slanderous accusation"**

According to the British publication, Infantino had an affair with a female employee under his command during his time at UEFA. The woman's identity was not disclosed in the material.

Thanks to Infantino's patronage, the woman was promoted and her salary increased by 30 percent. This situation raised questions among colleagues, including then-UEFA president Michel Platini. According to the report, it was after Platini's objections that Gianni agreed to fire his mistress.

At the same time, after leaving the job, UEFA paid the woman a six-figure compensation, as well as funded her studies at a business school on an MBA program (45 thousand pounds sterling per year).

It is noted that Infantino also tried to use his connections to recruit her to another high-paying position in the same field.

In an interview with The Telegraph, a UEFA representative confirmed that the employee had a relationship with Infantino, and also admitted that the woman was paid compensation. At the same time, he noted that this payment was made according to the standard procedure in force at the time.

“Yes, the person concerned was paid compensation upon dismissal, as well as paid for studying for an MBA program. Everything was in accordance with the rules that were in force at that time for employees leaving the job. They have been tightened since 2016,” the source told The Telegraph.

FIFA, on the contrary, categorically denied this information. "The President categorically denies these accusations. They are completely untrue. Any suggestion of inappropriate behavior or violation of the statutes or regulations is slander. No UEFA or FIFA employee has ever complained about Mr. Infantino's actions, as there have been no incidents related to him," the organization's representative said.

For information, the Swiss official married in 2001 - he and his wife Lina Al-Ashkar raise four children.

**Problem after problem**

The new conflict has flared up at a time when Infantino is already in a difficult situation. FIFA's idea to create a new commercial structure to sell tournament rights - FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) - has caused a serious conflict between him and UEFA. According to this project, it was planned to sell part of the shares to private investors, for which a company associated with Donald Trump's son-in-law was considered the main contender.

This idea caused sharp objections - many major international federations, including UEFA, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, criticized it. As a result, the Swiss official abandoned the idea, but it was already too late - the Europeans are now demanding his resignation.

According to media reports, Infantino is now counting on the support of US President Donald Trump. However, it is unlikely that he will extend a helping hand to Infantino when the story of the romantic relationship is revealed.