FIFA has hit back at claims against president Gianni Infantino, saying there is an ongoing effort to weaken both him and world football’s governing body.
The organisation released a statement on Saturday after fresh reports raised questions about Infantino’s time at UEFA.
“Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its President,” FIFA said.
Infantino worked as UEFA secretary general from 2009 to 2016.
A British newspaper reported that Infantino used his position to help a UEFA employee receive a promotion while he was in a personal relationship with her.
The report also claimed the employee later received a six figure payment when she left UEFA. It said UEFA also paid around £45,000 for her business school fees.
UEFA confirmed that the employee received money when she left the organisation. It also confirmed that fees for an MBA course at a local business school were paid.
FIFA said it accepts fair questions about its work and leadership.
“FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny,” the organisation said.
However, FIFA said such scrutiny should not be used to spread claims without enough proof.
“But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress. Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously,” FIFA added.
The latest issue comes at a difficult time for Infantino. He plans to seek another term as FIFA president next March.
He has faced strong criticism since FIFA announced a plan last month that could have allowed private investors into the World Cup. FIFA later dropped the plan after facing opposition.
UEFA has been one of the strongest critics. It has also threatened to boycott the World Cups and said dropping the investment plan alone was not enough to settle its concerns.
FIFA also defended the rules around its presidential election.
It said it “will not support, facilitate or tolerate any process concerning the election of the FIFA President that is inconsistent with FIFA’s Statutes, democratic procedures and established governance framework.”
FIFA then sent a strong message to Infantino’s opponents.
“Those who do not have the support of FIFA’s Member Associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA’s established democratic processes.”
The dispute has increased pressure on Infantino ahead of next year’s election and added another chapter to the growing tension around FIFA’s leadership.
