Gianni Infantino Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Relationship and Payment

Gianni Infantino faces fresh scrutiny after reports that a woman alleged to have been his lover received a severance payment from Uefa during his time as the organisation’s general secretary.

A Daily Telegraph investigation reported that the woman, who is said to have had a relationship with Infantino while he was married, was paid a six-figure sum by Uefa. The payment was made while Infantino held one of the most powerful administrative roles in European football, between 2009 and 2016.

Infantino, now president of Fifa, has issued a firm denial through a spokesman, who told the Telegraph that he "strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations". The statement described any suggestion of inappropriate conduct or breaches of rules as "defamatory".

Uefa has confirmed that a “departure payment” was made to the woman in question. The governing body said the package included covering her fees to complete an MBA at a local business school. According to Uefa, all payments complied with the regulations in force at the time, though it also stressed that those rules have since been tightened to match what it called the standards of a “modern, high-profile organisation”.

No formal complaint about Infantino’s behaviour has ever been lodged at either Uefa or Fifa, the Fifa spokesman added, insisting "there never was an incident where he was involved".

The allegations surface at a delicate moment for Infantino, who is already battling to defend his position at Fifa after his controversial, abandoned attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. BBC Sport has contacted both Fifa and Infantino for further comment as the pressure around football’s most powerful official continues to build.