- FIFA president Gianni Infantino reportedly received money in 2024 through a World Cup organising company
- The payment did not appear in FIFA's published annual accounts, raising questions about the body's financial disclosure rules
- A former FIFA governance chief has called for scrutiny, while a source claims similar or larger payments may have followed in 2025 and 2026
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is under fresh pressure over financial transparency after reports emerged that he received an extra $1.76 million (roughly KSh228.3 million) in 2024 through a company linked to the 2026 World Cup, a payment that never appeared in the governing body's official annual report.
According to US Internal Revenue Service filings, a firm involved in staging the 2026 World Cup, made the payment to Infantino during the year.
Why is Gianni Infantino under pressure?
FIFA's published accounts listed his total earnings at 4.27 million Swiss francs (approximately KSh690 million) but made no separate mention of the additional sum.
The gap between the two figures has prompted serious questions about whether FIFA adhered to its own transparency requirements, particularly those governing how the president's full remuneration must be disclosed.
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Miguel Maduro, a former chairman of FIFA's governance committee, has called for the arrangement to be examined closely.
Maduro told The Times that any additional compensation paid to the president through FIFA-affiliated companies, without being declared, would breach the organisation's own rules.
FIFA has pushed back against the criticism, saying its compensation sub-committee is responsible for setting up the president's salary and any contractual benefits.
The body also noted that payments covering pension contributions, social charges and other employment-related costs had been properly reported to US authorities.
The controversy surfaces ahead of a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich, where Football Association chairwoman Debbie Hewitt is expected to press for greater accountability. Among the issues she is likely to raise is the release of documents related to a proposed World Cup investment plan that was ultimately shelved.
Council members are also expected to question FIFA's move to lift the ban on US striker Folarin Balogun, as well as Infantino's decision to award US President Donald Trump FIFA's peace prize without putting the nomination before the council first.
Despite the growing unease, Infantino's position at the top of world football appears secure for now. No rival candidate has put their name forward ahead of next year's presidential election.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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