Gianni Infantino Under Scrutiny Over Alleged Relationship and Payment

Gianni Infantino faces fresh scrutiny over his past at Uefa after a report claimed a woman alleged to have been his lover received a severance payment while he was the organisation’s general secretary.

According to an investigation by the Daily Telegraph, Uefa paid a six-figure sum to the woman, who is reported to have had a relationship with Infantino during his time at European football’s governing body. Infantino, who is married, is said to have been involved with her while serving as general secretary between 2009 and 2016.

Infantino’s camp has hit back hard. A spokesman for the now Fifa president told the Telegraph that he “strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations”, branding any suggestion of wrongdoing defamatory.

Uefa has confirmed that a payment was made to the woman in question. In a statement, European football’s governing body said a “departure payment was made to the individual in question” and clarified that it included fees for her to complete an MBA course at a local business school.

The organisation insists the financial package complied with the rules in place at the time. Uefa added that its regulations have since been tightened and now “reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation”.

Fifa, speaking to the Telegraph, underlined Infantino’s position. “Fifa president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory,” a spokesman said.

The spokesman also stressed that there had never been internal complaints about Infantino’s behaviour: “No employee at Uefa and Fifa has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino’s behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved.”

The claims surface at a sensitive moment for Infantino. He is already battling to shore up his authority as Fifa president after a storm over his abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

BBC Sport has contacted both Fifa and Infantino for further comment, as football’s most powerful figure once again finds his past decisions under the glare of the global game.