UEFA PAID SIX-FIGURE SUM TO WOMAN IN INFANTINO AFFAIR

Uefa confirmed it made a departure payment to a woman who had an alleged relationship with Gianni Infantino while he served as the organisation's general secretary, according to reports. The payment covered fees for the woman to complete a Master of Business Administration course at a local business school. Infantino, now Fifa president, was general secretary at Uefa from 2009 to 2016. A Fifa spokesman told the Telegraph that Infantino "strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations" and that the claims are "defamatory".

Uefa stated that all payments were made in accordance with regulations in force at the time, though the organisation noted those regulations have since been tightened to reflect standards expected in modern, high-profile organisations. The Telegraph reported the sum paid was in the six-figure range. Fifa and Infantino stated that no employee at either organisation has ever raised a complaint regarding his behaviour. Infantino is married.

The disclosure adds to mounting pressure on Infantino, who faces calls to resign as Fifa president following his proposals to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. He apologised for "errors" in those proposals but declined to step down after receiving backing from senior executives at a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday. European football teams have threatened to boycott Fifa events in response to the investment plan.