UEFA Acknowledges Payment to Woman Allegedly Linked to Infantino

The Telegraph first reported that while Infantino held the role of general secretary at UEFA, a woman allegedly in a relationship with him received a six-figure sum, with UEFA subsequently funding her MBA degree at a local business school.

UEFA told Sky Sports News the payment complied with staff regulations that were in force at the time, though it acknowledged those rules have since been tightened. "The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time," UEFA stated, adding that current staff regulations now "reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation."

Infantino left UEFA in 2016 to assume his current position as FIFA president, where he has remained since. A FIFA spokesperson rejected the allegations outright, stating they are "categorically untrue" and describing any suggestion of misconduct as "defamatory." The statement added that no employee at either organisation has ever lodged a complaint regarding Infantino's conduct.

According to FIFA, all departure packages and severance arrangements have been "approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations," according to Sky Sports News.