Gianni Infantino Faces Allegations of Misconduct and Severance Payment

Gianni Infantino faces fresh scrutiny after a report claimed that an alleged former lover received a severance payment from Uefa during his time as the organisation’s general secretary.

According to an investigation by the Daily Telegraph, Uefa authorised a six-figure payout to a woman who is said to have had a relationship with Infantino while he was in one of European football’s most powerful administrative roles. Infantino, who is married and now serves as Fifa president, “strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations”, his spokesman was quoted as saying.

Uefa, where Infantino worked from 2009 to 2016 before moving to Fifa, confirmed in a statement that “a departure payment was made to the individual in question”. The governing body added that the package included covering fees for her to complete an MBA at a local business school.

The organisation stressed that the payment complied with the rules in place at the time. Those internal regulations, Uefa said, have since been tightened and now “reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation”.

Infantino’s camp pushed back hard. In comments given to the Telegraph, a Fifa spokesman insisted: “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.” The spokesman also said that “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 timing is striking. These allegations surface as Infantino battles to shore up his position at the top of the global game, already under pressure after his 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 president’s grip on football’s most powerful office comes under renewed and uncomfortable examination.