Having exes in sport can be dangerous. A mere disagreement can lead to accusations and scandals. It can be difficult to get rid of them. There's a possibility that they won't stop until they get what they want.
There are three cases to illustrate this point.
Gianni Infantino's position as FIFA president could come under fresh scrutiny following allegations of an affair with a junior member of staff while he was general secretary of UEFA.
Gianni Infantino allegedly arranged for his lover to be paid off by UEFA while he was in a position of power at European football’s governing body.
Infantino is now desperately trying to hold onto his position as president of FIFA but allegations about the 56-year-old’s behaviour at his previous employer, which he denies, have now surfaced.
It's been reported that a female employee of UEFA, who was allegedly in a relationship with Infantino, allegedly received a six-figure pay-off and funds to study an MBA after he was challenged over the situation.
UEFA confirmed a payment was made to the woman in question and that it covered the fees for her to complete an MBA course at a local business school.
It said all payments were in line with regulations at the time but those regulations have since been tightened and "reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation."
Infantino, who is married with four children, was UEFA’s general secretary at the time of the alleged affair with a junior employee, who was promoted to a management position during the relationship.
He is said to have been challenged by Michel Platini, UEFA’s then-president, over the alleged relationship, prompting her to leave the organisation with a substantial payment.
A UEFA spokesperson said, "We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for an MBA course at a local business school. The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time."
"Such UEFA have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations – which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level – reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation."
"FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory," a FIFA spokesperson told the Telegraph.
"No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino’s behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved. All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations.”
Infantino joined UEFA in 2000 and became secretary general in 2009, before being appointed FIFA president in 2016.
Mauro Icardi, the former Inter Milan and Galatasaray forward, has breathed a sigh of relief after his ex-wife Wanda Nara saw her case dismissed by an Italian court.
The contentious divorce between footballer and media personality, Wanda Nara, has taken a dramatic new turn, with an Italian court reportedly rejecting Nara's substantial financial demands.
The couple, who married in 2014, initiated divorce proceedings two years ago after Nara announced their separation on social media in September 2022. The split has since been marked by public disputes, particularly concerning the financial settlement.
Icardi, a 33-year-old striker who recently became a free agent after a successful stint with Turkish side, Galatasaray, took to Instagram to announce the court's decision. He detailed the significant sums Nara had allegedly requested as part of the settlement.
In a statement posted to his Instagram stories, Icardi revealed the court's ruling. "Over here, it’s all good news. There has been a new ruling," he wrote. "They demanded the following in the divorce proceedings – €250,000 per month for my ex, €65,000 for each of my daughters and €100,000 per month as part of the divorce settlement." That runs to €480 000 per month that Nara was seeking from Icardi.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward continued, "On June 1, 2026, the judge REJECTED these outrageous claims. Unhappy with the decision and determined to keep taking my money, they appealed the ruling."
Icardi then shared the outcome of the appeal. "On, July 27, 2026, the Italian courts made their decision crystal clear – the appeal was declared inadmissible. This effectively puts an end to all claims and demands. There is now only one final step left before the divorce judgement is finalised."
He concluded with a note of vindication: "It’s good to see that the Italian justice system works. Back in 2024, people called me crazy for insisting that everything should be handled in Italy.”
Icardi and Nara have two daughters together, Francesca and Isabella. Their relationship began controversially after Nara's marriage to Icardi's former Sampdoria team-mate, Maxi Lopez, ended. Their own on-again, off-again union has frequently made headlines, including public accusations of infidelity in 2021.
Turning to cricket and Australia vice-captain, Ashleigh Gardner’s estranged wife, Monica Wright, has slammed Cricket Australia (CA) for inaction over the cricketer’s alleged affair with team-mate, Georgia Voll.
Wright, who first made the allegations public in July, has also demanded that the 29-year-old Gardner be stripped of the leadership role in the national team.
"I think if you’re privileged enough to represent your country and be seen as a role model, there’s a responsibility to hold yourself to a high moral standard," Wright told Code Sports.
"What I can’t understand is why Cricket Australia hasn’t said anything publicly. Does their silence mean they support the actions of Ashleigh and Georgia. You can’t have an affair with a junior member of staff, especially when there’s a clear power imbalance and then remain in a position of leadership. Captains are expected to set the standard, and that kind of conduct falls well short of it," Wright added.
Wright, who first made the allegations public in July, has also demanded that the 29-year-old Gardner be stripped of the leadership role in the national team.
"I think if you’re privileged enough to represent your country and be seen as a role model, there’s a responsibility to hold yourself to a high moral standard," Wright told Code Sports.
In a response to Wright’s comments on Code Sports, CA stated that the board considered the incident to be "private and personal."
"Cricket Australia ensures all relationships within our workforce comply with our Respect at Work policy. This includes putting appropriate conflict-of-interest management arrangements in place to support leadership responsibilities and maintain the integrity of team processes,” CA said in its statement.
In July, Wright posted a Daily Mail article on her Instagram story with the caption that it was ‘too vague’ and said she’ll say ‘exactly what happened. In the next slide, she posted the photo of Voll with the caption: "This is who my wife cheated on me with."
Wright and Gardner had tied the knot in April 2025 but things started deteriorating when the cricketer was in India for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, according to the Daily Mail report. When Wright had flown in to India to see Gardner, there was a bit of awkwardness; an insider stated according to the report.
They have since seperated with Gardner moving out of their Sydney house while beginning divorce proceedings.
According to news.com.au, Gardner has also received firm backing from her WBBL franchise, Sydney Sixers, amid the scandal.
“I’m not going to comment on (Ash’s) personal life, or anything like that. But certainly we’ve exchanged messages,” Sixers GM and former Australia player Rachael Haynes said. “I’ve checked in with her. She knows that we’re here to support her.
"She’s a well-respected player within our program, an important player for us, so I think the most important thing is knowing that we’re there for her, we care about her and look forward to continuing with the club ongoing."
The 29-year-old all-rounder, who was named Tahlia McGrath's deputy on 28 January, married her long-time partner Wright in a rustic ceremony in the Blue Mountains in April 2025. The couple first met on a dating app in 2020 before proposing to each other in April 2024.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, the marriage began to unravel during Australia's World Cup campaign in India. Wright reportedly flew to India midway through the tournament after sensing that something was wrong.
"It was a little bit weird," an insider told the publication. "It was like something was a little bit off with Ash, but we thought it was because of the pressure of the World Cup."
The source claimed the situation became "just horrible" once Wright arrived in India and that Gardner "didn't seem like herself."
After returning to Sydney, the couple reportedly had a conversation in which Gardner allegedly explained why things had felt "off" during the India tour, leaving Wright "shattered" and "distraught", according to the report. Their marriage is understood to have ended soon afterwards.
The couple reportedly separated in November last year, although details of the split only surfaced publicly this week. The story took another turn on Monday when Wright shared a screenshot of the Daily Mail report on social media alongside a photograph of Australia batter Georgia Voll, alleging: “This is who my wife cheated on me with.”
The report further claimed that the separation proved especially painful for Wright because the couple had been planning to start a family.
"They were about to go to the fertility clinic. They had a booking that Monica had to cancel," the insider said. According to the report, Gardner also moved out of the couple's Sydney home, leaving behind only their wedding rings.
"Ash left one day. Monica came home and everything of Ash's was gone, except for the rings," the source said. "She left the wedding rings in the cupboard. Just the box of wedding rings and that was it."
The report added that details of the marriage breakdown were disclosed to Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel when Gardner was appointed Sydney Sixers captain ahead of the Women's Big Bash League in November.
Gardner was subsequently named Australia's vice-captain three months later. It also claimed that, during discussions surrounding those appointments, Gardner attempted to reconcile with Wright but the relationship couldn't be salvaged.
Gardner was recently in the triumphant Australia team which extended the country’s staggering T20 World Cup record, winning seven titles from eight finals.
I believe that people, especially those who are famous, should keep their private lives just that - private. The media can have a field day when they catch wind of any problems.
It can also be difficult to hold things back from partners. You tend to tell them everything. In times of a break-up, it's then vital that it be amicable and that there are no hard feelings. The smallest of details can ultimately ruin a career.