# FIFA warns of plot to undermine Infantino as crisis deepens 2026-08-08T19:40:24+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet FIFA has warned of a concerted effort to undermine President Gianni Infantino, as a leadership crisis deepens after his $4.2 billion investment plan collapsed. The denial followed reports by The Daily Telegraph about payments UEFA made to a former employee during Infantino's time as its general secretary. Infantino has denied the allegations, and FIFA called them unsubstantiated and demonstrably false. European soccer's governing body UEFA has withdrawn confidence in Infantino, and Norwegian federation chief Lise Klaveness has demanded his resignation. But Infantino retains broad support among FIFA's 211 members. The African Football Confederation unanimously backed him, South America's CONMEBOL opposed any ouster outside a full member vote, and Mexico's federation also backed him. A crisis meeting in Morocco reaffirmed support for Infantino, whose bid for a fourth term in March 2026 now faces uncertainty. ## Coverage - sports.ndtv.com - thehindu.com Tags: allegations, British newspaper, FIFA, Gianni Infantino, UEFA Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/fifa-chief-infantino-rejects-affair-payment-allegations/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/fifa-chief-infantino-rejects-affair-payment-allegations/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.