FIFA has hit out at what it called "a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine" world football's governing body and its president Gianni Infantino. The statement comes after UEFA confirmed a "departure payment" was made to a female employee alleged to have been in a relationship with Infantino when he was UEFA's general secretary. Britain's Daily Telegraph reported the woman received a six-figure sum, which UEFA said was "in line" with regulations. FIFA called the allegations "categorically untrue."

FIFA went further, calling out "unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims" aimed at weakening Infantino's authority to remove him without a due re-election process. Infantino has been under pressure after three continents rejected his plan to sell profits in the World Cup through a commercial subsidiary. UEFA, representing 55 member nations, has led criticism and threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions.

Despite the criticism, Infantino has received significant support. South American governing body CONMEBOL said it would not support any move to oust him on an accelerated timetable. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) expressed "unanimous support" for Infantino. Concacaf member Mexico also backed the FIFA chief. FIFA added: "Change inevitably challenges established interests, but disagreement cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of FIFA's president or the institution he was elected to lead."