FIFA president Gianni Infantino is denying allegations that UEFA paid a six-figure sum to a woman who allegedly had a relationship with him during his time as the organization's general secretary, according to a Daily Telegraph investigation.
A UEFA statement confirmed that a departure payment was made to the individual in question and that the payment covered the fees for her to complete an MBA course at a local business school. UEFA said all payments were in line with regulations at the time, but added that those regulations have since been tightened and now reflect those found in what it described as a modern, high-profile organization.
A FIFA spokesman told the Telegraph: "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."
The spokesman also told the paper that Infantino "strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations."
The FIFA spokesman added: "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."
Infantino joined UEFA in 2000 and became secretary general in 2009. He was appointed FIFA president in 2016. He is married.
The allegations add pressure to Infantino, who is already facing calls to resign over his aborted plans to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors. He apologized for what he called errors in those proposals but did not step down after receiving the backing of senior executives at a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.
Norway has called for Infantino to resign. European teams have threatened to boycott FIFA events, saying certain conditions have not been met despite the investment plans being abandoned. The Football Association also withdrew its support for Infantino, according to BBC Sport.
On the other side, Conmebol, the South American confederation, and the Confederation of African Football have backed Infantino. The football associations of World Cup co-hosts Mexico and tournament runners-up Argentina have also voiced support for the embattled president.
BBC Sport said it has contacted FIFA and Infantino for comment.
