Infantino denies 'defamatory' affair claims made in British newspaper

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has vehemently denied allegations of misconduct, including paying off an alleged former lover during his time at UEFA. The accusations, published by The Daily Telegraph, claim Infantino used his influence to secure a promotion for a UEFA employee with whom he was reportedly in an intimate relationship.

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strongly denies these allegations, which were 'categorically untrue.'

The British newspaper reported that the employee received a "six-figure sum" upon her departure, along with approximately 45,000 British pounds ($85,900) for business school tuition. Infantino, who has been married since 2001, has categorically denied these claims, calling them "defamatory" and "categorically untrue."

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Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.

UEFA acknowledged that a departure payment and MBA course fees were made to the individual. However, the organization stated that the payment was in line with regulations for departing staff at the time, noting that these regulations have since been tightened. FIFA reiterated Infantino's denial, emphasizing that no employee has ever filed a complaint regarding his behavior.

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a departure payment was made to the individual in question... coupled with the payment of fees for an MBA course at a local business school

These allegations surface as Infantino faces scrutiny over his controversial, though now abandoned, plan to introduce private investors to the World Cup. UEFA has expressed a lack of confidence in him, while FIFA's member associations reaffirmed their support following a crisis meeting. The controversies cast a shadow over Infantino's bid for a fourth term as FIFA president.

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the payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time, before adding that 'such regulations have been tightened since 2016'.