Fifa president Gianni Infantino has flatly denied allegations that Uefa made a six-figure payment to a woman with whom he allegedly had a relationship.
The claims emerged from a Daily Telegraph investigation, which reported that Uefa paid the sum while Infantino was serving as its general secretary.
Infantino held the role of general secretary at Uefa from 2009 to 2016, before being appointed Fifa president that same year.
A Fifa spokesman told the Telegraph that Infantino “strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue.”
The spokesman added that “any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory,” rejecting the claims in the strongest possible terms.
Uefa confirmed that a departure payment was indeed made to the individual in question, stating it covered fees for an MBA course at a local business school.
The European governing body said all payments made at the time were in line with the regulations then in force, though it acknowledged those rules have since been tightened.
Uefa added that its current regulations “reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation,” signalling it recognises standards have evolved significantly since the period in question.
The Fifa spokesman further stated that “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 allegations arrive at a deeply difficult moment for the 56-year-old, who is already facing widespread calls to resign over his aborted plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
Infantino apologised for “errors” made in those controversial proposals but stopped short of stepping down after receiving the backing of senior executives at a meeting in Morocco.
European teams have threatened to boycott Fifa events, saying certain conditions have not been met despite the private investment plans being withdrawn.
Conmebol, the Confederation of African Football, and the football associations of World Cup co-hosts Mexico and runners-up Argentina have all publicly backed the embattled president.
BBC Sport has contacted both Fifa and Infantino directly for comment on the latest allegations surrounding his time at Uefa.
