The Newshound

FIFA lied about hiring PR firm to save Infantino, leaked emails reveal, as Ceferin says 'enough'

From the Newshound archive · first published 30 September 2026.

Gianni Infantino, whose position UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called untenable after leaked emails revealed FIFA lied about hiring a PR firm to rehabilitate his image.
Gianni Infantino, whose position UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called untenable after leaked emails revealed FIFA lied about hiring a PR firm to rehabilitate his image.

Leaked emails show FIFA denied paying Sir Martin Sorrell's agency Monks to rehabilitate Gianni Infantino's image — then days later Monks blasted international journalists with a coordinated media campaign explicitly framed around the 2027 FIFA presidential election. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin piled on, declaring 'it is time to say enough' and calling Infantino's position untenable. FIFA hit back, accusing European football chiefs of running a 'misinformation campaign' and 'harassment' against its president.

Monks' Sarah Jackson reportedly pitched Caribbean federation praise quotes to reporters including the BBC, directly contradicting FIFA's 'demonstrably false' denial.

Ceferin had already branded Infantino's leadership 'the emperor is naked' in a separate swipe, signalling the feud between FIFA and UEFA has turned openly personal.

One football source reportedly fumed: 'Who knows where else he's spending soccer's cash for personal gain?'

MoreNY PostExclusive | FIFA lied about paying for PR to save Gianni Infantino — days after hired-gun agency launched global blitzThe New York TimesAleksander Ceferin reinforces calls for FIFA president change: ‘It is time to say enough’ - The New York TimesiNewsFifa accuses Uefa of 'misinformation campaign' – the latestAOL News UK‘The emperor is naked’: Uefa president Ceferin takes new swipe at Infantino
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