Infantino accused of favouring female employee, denies allegations

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has strongly denied allegations that UEFA made a six-figure severance payment to a woman with whom he was alleged to have had a relationship while he was secretary general of European football's governing body.

The allegations, reported by the Daily Telegraph, claim the payment was made during Infantino's time at UEFA, where he served as secretary general from 2009 to 2016 after joining the organisation in 2000.

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An Infantino spokesperson described the allegations as "categorically untrue" and said any suggestion of inappropriate conduct or a breach of regulations was defamatory.

"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 spokesperson told the newspaper.

UEFA confirmed that a departure payment had been made to the woman but rejected any suggestion that it violated the organisation's rules. It said the payment also included fees for her to complete an MBA at a local business school.

The governing body said the payments complied with the regulations in force at the time, although those rules have since been tightened.

"[The regulations] reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation," UEFA said.

The allegations come at a difficult time for Infantino, who is already under mounting pressure over his leadership of FIFA following the collapse of controversial plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

The 56-year-old has apologised for what he described as "errors" in the proposal but has resisted calls to resign after receiving backing from senior FIFA executives at an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.