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A British newspaper accused FIFA president Gianni Infantino of paying off an alleged lover and using his influence to secure her a promotion during his tenure as UEFA secretary general.
According to The Telegraph, the female employee received a six-figure payout upon her departure, alongside £45,000 ($60,700) for business school tuition fees.
FIFA and Infantino categorically denied the claims, calling any insinuation of inappropriate conduct untrue and defamatory.
UEFA acknowledged making the departure and tuition payments to the individual but maintained that the financial package fully complied with staff regulations in place before 2016.
The allegations surfaced as Infantino faces intense scrutiny following his recently abandoned plan to open the World Cup to private investors.
UEFA continues to oppose Infantino’s leadership ahead of next March’s election, maintaining its threat to boycott future World Cups despite the withdrawal of the investment scheme.
