Infantino denies claims Uefa paid off alleged 'lover'

Gianni Infantino, the current president of Fifa, has categorically denied allegations that Uefa, the governing body of European football, paid off his alleged lover during his tenure as general secretary from 2009 to 2016. The Daily Telegraph reported that the woman received a severance payment, a six-figure sum, to end their relationship.

Infantino's spokesman told the newspaper that these allegations are "categorically untrue" and insinuations of inappropriate conduct are defamatory. Uefa confirmed the payment was made in accordance with regulations at the time, but noted that those regulations have since been tightened. The allegations come as Infantino faces pressure to resign as Fifa president following his controversial plans to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.

Despite his apology for "errors" in those proposals, Infantino has not stepped down and continues to receive support from senior executives and several football confederations.