Infantino receives apology after secret salary allegation refuted
FIFA has denied that Gianni Infantino violated its statutes after retracted reports that claimed a secret $2.4 million pay package additional to his regular salary and bonuses.
The Times has apologised to FIFA and Infantino after initially reporting allegations that Infantino had extra earnings that came from a FIFA subsidiary set up when organising the World Cup. This has since been proved incorrect.
Gianni Infantino is hoping to be re-elected as FIFA president next March. Getty Images
“FIFA does not pay a second salary to the FIFA president and complies with all reporting requirements in relation to compensation. The FIFA President’s annual compensation, as well as other contractual benefits, are decided by the independent Compensation Sub-Committee,” FIFA said in a statement released after the initial report.
“FIFA strongly rejects any claims that it has failed to disclose any financial information and has violated FIFA’s Statutes. FIFA accounts are independently audited, and all declarations are in line with tax regulations in Switzerland, the United States and elsewhere.
“FIFA is fully focused on the FIFA Council meeting on Thursday and looks forward to discussions with its members to further grow the game following the most successful FIFA World Cup in history.”
The Times had also reported Infantino purchased a property in Miami at a suspected undervaluation, but that has been proved incorrect too.
“On 13 October 2026 (Sport), we reported that Gianni Infantino received a ‘second salary’ from Fifa, which Fifa had failed to disclose. This is incorrect. There was no ‘second salary’,” the apology read.
“Regulations do not require Fifa to include expenses and reimbursements received by Mr Infantino in its annual report as they are not considered “compensation” under Swiss reporting requirements. We also accept Mr Infantino did not purchase a property in Miami at a suspected undervalue as we reported and neither he nor his family are the legal or beneficial owners of Shadi LLC and have no control over that company, as we suggested. We are happy to make these corrections and apologise to Mr Infantino and Fifa for the errors.”
FIFA responded to that apology, claiming there is a “concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president”. That claim is a doubling down from a similar statement in August.
“FIFA urges the media to act responsibly and carefully verify all sourcing to prevent the publication and subsequent reproduction of false and defamatory information,” the sporting body wrote on X.
“FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny. But scrutiny is not a license to amplify false allegations. Where reporting is inaccurate, misleading, or totally false, as in this case, FIFA will continue to challenge it directly and vigorously.”
The annual report from FIFA had stated that Infantino was earning $8.2 million annually, including his bonus. Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA’s secretary general, earns $2.2 million per year.
Infantino is currently in a battle to win back the support of some federations, with UEFA leading calls for a new president to be named.
Ex-Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega has put his hand up to challenge for the presidency, with Norwegian football federation boss Lise Klaveness, who has questioned Infantino in the past, also expected to run for the position.
Infantino will meet with council later this week in a meeting scheduled to take place in Zurich on Friday (AEDT). A number of major controversies in recent months are expected to be raised at that meeting, with FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt expected to call for Infantino to release all documents relating to his failed plan to sell shares in the organisation’s tournaments.
Football Association president Debbie Hewitt is also expected to request files about the controversial decision to scrap US striker Folarin Baogun’s ban despite receiving a red card at the World Cup.
