FIFA warns of 'targeted campaign' against Infantino as severance payment allegations surface

FIFA's counterattack

FIFA published a sharply worded statement on the night of 8-9 August 2026, warning of "targeted and sustained efforts by some actors to undermine FIFA and its president." The statement, released on platform X, did not name specific critics or reports but declared that recent coverage contained "unfounded claims and demonstrably false representations." FIFA said it would "immediately and vigorously" challenge inaccurate or misleading reporting. The organisation insisted that Infantino, 56, was democratically elected by 211 member associations and continues to serve on their mandate.

Those who do not have the support of FIFA's member associations should not attempt through accusations, insinuations or misinformation to achieve what they cannot achieve through FIFA's established democratic processes.

The severance payment allegations

The immediate trigger for FIFA's statement was a report by the British newspaper Telegraph. It alleged that during Infantino's tenure as UEFA General Secretary (2009-2016), a high severance payment was arranged for a close female employee. The Telegraph described the woman as Infantino's "lover" who had risen quickly within the organisation. UEFA confirmed to the SID (Sport-Informations-Dienst) that a payment had been made, though it did not elaborate on the circumstances. FIFA dismissed the reports as containing "distorted facts" and "unfounded accusations" designed to harm the president.

The collapsed investor plan

The severance allegations compound a crisis triggered the previous week when Infantino pushed a plan to sell approximately 20 percent of shares in a newly created subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to private investors. FFE was valued at a total of $20 billion and would have bundled commercial rights to the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup. The plan was withdrawn after a few days under heavy pressure, primarily from UEFA, which had criticised it sharply. The episode has been described as the most intense criticism Infantino has faced in his roughly ten years as president.

European revolt and global split

European opposition has hardened into open revolt. The Norwegian Football Association, led by president Lise Klaveness, called for Infantino's immediate resignation, saying he had lost all trust. The national associations of England, Sweden, Wales, and Serbia have publicly withdrawn their support. UEFA continues to hold the possibility of a boycott of FIFA competitions. On the other side, the African confederation CAF and several members of the South American confederation CONMEBOL have demonstratively closed ranks behind Infantino, creating a familiar geopolitical split within world football's governing body.

Road to March 2027

Infantino remains the only declared candidate for the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027. FIFA's statement framed the criticism as an attempt to subvert the democratic process rather than legitimate scrutiny. The organisation said it welcomed "justified critical review" but that this was "not a licence to distort facts, inflate unfounded accusations or stage diversionary manoeuvres." With European associations mobilising against him and African and South American bodies holding firm, the contest is shaping up along continental lines that have defined FIFA politics for decades.