Infantino denies claims UEFA paid off alleged 'lover'

UEFA has denied allegations that they paid off a female employee who allegedly had a relationship with its former general secretary, Gianni Infantino. According to the Daily Telegraph, the woman received a six-figure sum following her alleged relationship with Infantino. UEFA confirmed in a statement that a payment was made and that fees for an MBA course were also covered, stating that these actions were "in line with regulations at the time."

Infantino served at UEFA for 16 years, holding the position of general secretary from 2009 until his election as FIFA president in February 2016. UEFA's spokesperson confirmed the allegations, saying, "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 a MBA course at a local business school. The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time."

The payment complies with regulations that have been tightened since 2016, with current staff regulations reflecting those found in a modern, high-profile organisation. FIFA's president, Infantino, strongly denies the allegations, stating that "FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Infantino's behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved."

FIFA's management board backed Infantino following a meeting in Morocco, where he apologized for the process surrounding a controversial plan to sell stakes to private investors in a company to run the World Cup. This plan was rejected by UEFA and two other continental confederations. The threat for UEFA's 55 member countries to boycott FIFA competitions remains, with UEFA stating that Wednesday's announcement "changes nothing."