FIFA has hit out at what it calls a "concerted and ongoing effort" to undermine the governing body and president Gianni Infantino. The response follows claims regarding his conduct during his tenure at UEFA, where he served as general secretary between 2009 and 2016.

UEFA recently confirmed a departure payment was made to a female employee alleged to have been in a relationship with Infantino. The payment, which reportedly included fees for an MBA course, was described by UEFA as being "in line" with regulations at the time. However, FIFA spokesperson stated that Infantino "strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations."

FIFA maintains that critics are attempting to weaken Infantino's authority without following established democratic processes. While the organization welcomes legitimate scrutiny, it warned against using misinformation to manufacture distractions. This controversy follows Infantino's rejected proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, a move that faced significant opposition from UEFA and other confederations.