FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly denied allegations that UEFA paid a six-figure sum to a woman who was allegedly romantically involved with him during his time as the organisation’s general secretary.

The allegations, reported by The Telegraph, claim that the woman, described as a junior UEFA employee at the time, was promoted and received a significant salary increase during the alleged relationship. She reportedly later left UEFA and received a substantial departure package, while UEFA also covered the cost of an MBA programme for her.

UEFA has confirmed that a departure payment was made to the woman and that it also funded fees connected to her MBA studies. However, the organisation said the payments complied with the regulations in place at the time.

UEFA added that its rules concerning employee departures and related benefits have since been strengthened.

Infantino, who served as UEFA’s general secretary from 2009 to 2016 before becoming FIFA president, has rejected the allegations.

A FIFA spokesperson said the claims were “categorically untrue” and described suggestions of inappropriate conduct or breaches of regulations as defamatory.

The FIFA president’s representatives also stated that no employee of UEFA or FIFA had ever formally complained about Infantino’s behaviour, arguing that there had been no incident involving him that warranted such a complaint.

The controversy comes at a difficult time for Infantino, who is already facing increased scrutiny over FIFA’s governance and his recently abandoned proposal involving private investment in World Cup commercial rights. UEFA and other football bodies have publicly expressed concerns about the proposal and FIFA’s decision-making process.

The latest allegations are therefore adding to the pressure surrounding Infantino’s leadership, although no wrongdoing has been established from the claims reported so far.

UEFA’s confirmation of the payment, while acknowledging that it occurred, does not by itself establish that the payment was made to conceal an alleged relationship.

Infantino continues to deny the allegations in their entirety.