Infantino denies 'defamatory' affair claims made in British newspaper

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has firmly denied allegations reported by British newspaper The Daily Telegraph that he was involved in an affair while serving as secretary general of UEFA from 2009 to 2016. The newspaper published claims that Infantino paid off an alleged lover and used his influence to secure a promotion for the same employee with whom he was allegedly in an intimate relationship.

Infantino and FIFA have categorically denied these allegations as "categorically untrue and defamatory." The Italian-Swiss lawyer, currently up for re-election in March, maintains strong support in Africa and South America. UEFA acknowledged that a departure payment was made to the employee at that time, along with the payment of fees for an MBA course at a local business school.

However, UEFA insisted that these payments were in line with regulations that existed for departing staff at the time and have since been tightened in 2016. Infantino, who has been married since 2001, strongly denies the allegations and any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations. No employee at UEFA and FIFA has raised a complaint regarding Infantino's behavior, as there never was an incident where he was involved.

Despite the controversy, Infantino continues to enjoy substantial support among FIFA's 211 members, with the Confederation of African Football and South America's CONMEBOL backing his leadership.