"The Secret of the 2.3 Billion Won Missing from the Books"... Infantino's 'Undisclosed Compensation' Exposed, Yet He Races Toward a 'Dictatorial' Fourth Term

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Gianni Infantino (56), President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), has been embroiled in controversy over alleged rule violations after it was revealed that he received a large, undisclosed compensation payment from the operating entity for the 2026 North America World Cup.

Global media outlet ESPN reported on the 14th (Korean time), based on documents from the U.S. National Tax Service (IRS) and other sources, that In Pan-ti-no (Chairman) received a separate payment of $1.72 million (approximately 2.3 billion won) in 2024 from 'FWC2026,' the U.S.-based World Cup organizing body. This amount was paid in addition to his existing annual salary and allowances of approximately $4.86 million to $4.90 million (approximately 6.5 billion won) received from FIFA.

The omission of this compensation detail from FIFA's 2024 annual financial report has sparked a transparency controversy. Article 43, Paragraph 13 of the FIFA Statutes mandates the disclosure of personal compensation for key executives, including the president.

Miguel Maduro, former chair of the FIFA Governance Committee, criticized the situation, stating, "If he received money from FIFA-related companies without disclosing it, it is a clear violation of the rules." Previously, FIFA had withdrawn its plan to establish a commercial subsidiary and attract private investment (FFE) after facing criticism over a lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest. Consequently, public criticism regarding the financial opacity of the top leadership is expected to intensify further.

FIFA immediately pushed back. A FIFA spokesperson explained, "We have not paid double salaries to the president and are complying with compensation disclosure obligations," adding, "The president's compensation and benefits were determined by an independent remuneration committee and processed lawfully after external audit."

Despite successive controversies, the likelihood of In Pan-ti-no (Chairman) securing a fourth term remains high. In Pan-ti-no (Chairman), who took office in 2016, will challenge for his final, fourth term through the next presidential election scheduled for March next year. Despite defections by some football associations, his core support base in Africa and South America remains solid. Moreover, with no strong rival emerging despite the candidate registration deadline approaching on November 18, a de facto uncontested victory is anticipated due to his likely sole candidacy.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original