Fifa call out ‘concerted effort to undermine’ Gianni Infantino after apology for The Times

Fifa have acknowledged an apology from The Times over incorrect reporting that president Gianni Infantino was paid an undeclared second salary and have called out what it claims is a ‘concerted and ongoing effort’ to undermine the organisation and Infantino.

An article published by The Times a week ago claimed that Infantino had received a second salary from Fifa and that he had failed to declare the payments with that information proving incorrect. The newspaper removed the incorrect information and issued an apology to both Fifa and Infantino over the report.

Having seen and accepted the apology Fifa, via their Fifa Media account on X, took the opportunity to address the media and emphasise the need to ‘act responsibly’ and ‘carefully verify all sourcing’ in order to prevent false information from being published.

The organisation’s statement also addressed what it perceives is a co-ordinated effort to undermine Infantino’s presidency after the 56-year-old came under scrutiny over a proposal to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

That plan has raised concerns over his ability to perform in the role of president with Uefa among several parties to have called for his resignation.

Fifa’s statement reads: “FIFA takes note of an apology published today by The Times following an inaccurate and damaging report:

‘“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.” 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.’

“As FIFA stated in August, it is evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its President. FIFA urges the media to act responsibly and carefully verify all sourcing to prevent the publication and subsequent reproduction of false and defamatory information.

“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.”