Infantino denies claims Uefa paid off alleged 'lover'
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has strongly denied allegations that Uefa paid off an alleged lover during his tenure as general secretary. While Uefa confirmed a severance payment was made to the individual, they stated it was for educational expenses and complied with regulations at the time.
Why it matters
The allegations add further pressure to Infantino's leadership at Fifa, which is already facing scrutiny over governance and commercial strategy.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Gianni Infantino was at Uefa for 16 years before joining Fifa in 2016
Gianni Infantino's alleged lover was given a severance payment over the affair by Uefa while he was its general secretary, according to a Daily Telegraph investigation , external .
A spokesman for the now Fifa president was reported to have told the paper Infantino "strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations".
Uefa, for whom Infantino was general secretary from 2009 to 2016, issued a statement confirming "a departure payment was made to the individual in question".
The allegations come as Infantino fights for his future as Fifa president following his aborted plans to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
BBC Sport has contacted Fifa and Infantino for comment.
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