FIFA president Gianni Infantino cleared after The Times corrects pay claims

The Times has apologised to FIFA president Gianni Infantino after retracting claims that he received an undisclosed second salary from football’s world governing body.

The British newspaper published an article on 13 October 2026 alleging that the Swiss official had been paid an additional salary by FIFA without the arrangement being publicly declared.

The Times later corrected the report, stating: “There was never a second salary.” It said the expenses and reimbursements received by Infantino did not constitute pay under Swiss law and therefore did not need to be included in FIFA’s annual report.

The newspaper also amended its claim concerning the alleged purchase of a property in Miami at an unusually low price.

The Times concluded its correction with an apology, saying: “We apologise to Mr Infantino and FIFA for these errors.”

FIFA responded to the corrections by saying it believed the incident highlighted repeated attempts by certain parties to damage the reputation of the organisation and its president.

“As FIFA stated in August, it is clear that some are making coordinated and ongoing efforts to discredit FIFA and its president,” the governing body said.

FIFA called on media organisations to apply greater care when checking information, while stressing that it accepted criticism based on established facts.

“Constructive criticism is welcome, but such criticism cannot justify the publication of false allegations,” FIFA said.

The organisation added that it would continue to respond firmly to any publication it considered inaccurate or defamatory.

The statement was issued as Infantino prepares to stand for re-election as FIFA president.

FIFA Media posted details of the correction on 20 October 2026, referring to an apology published by The Times over what it described as an inaccurate and damaging report.