Fifa President Gianni Infantino has categorically denied claims that Uefa paid severance to a woman with whom he allegedly had a relationship while serving as the European body's general secretary.
According to an investigation by the Daily Telegraph, Uefa made a six-figure severance payment to a woman who allegedly had a relationship with Infantino during his tenure as general secretary from 2009 to 2016. A Fifa spokesman stated that Infantino "strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue," adding that any suggestion of inappropriate conduct or regulatory violations is "defamatory."
Uefa confirmed that a departure payment was made to the individual in question, though the organisation stated the funds were allocated to cover fees for the woman to complete an MBA course at a local business school. The European governing body maintained that all payments adhered to regulations in effect at the time, while acknowledging that those standards have since been updated to reflect practices in "a modern, high-profile organisation."
The allegations emerge as the 56-year-old Infantino faces mounting pressure over his failed proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Though Infantino apologised for "errors" in the controversial scheme and secured backing from senior Fifa executives at a meeting in Morocco, he has resisted calls to resign. European teams have threatened to boycott Fifa events in response, while confederations from South America and Africa, along with Mexican and Argentine football associations, have expressed support for the Fifa president.
