FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces fresh scrutiny over alleged UEFA affair and six-figure pay-off

Gianni Infantino’s time at UEFA is under scrutiny after new allegations that they paid a six-figure settlement to a former employee who was involved in a relationship with the now FIFA president.

According to an investigation by the Telegraph, the woman was allegedly promoted while the relationship was ongoing before leaving UEFA with a substantial payment.

UEFA also funded a course for the former employee at a business school, which cost around £45,000 annually.

The governing body has confirmed that the payments were made, although they insist both were permitted under the regulations governing staff departures at the time.

The organisation said those rules have since been tightened, with its current regulations designed to reflect the standards expected of a modern, high-profile organisation.

Infantino, who joined UEFA in 2000 before becoming its general secretary and eventually taking over as FIFA president in 2016, strongly denies the allegations.

A FIFA spokesperson said there had never been a complaint from an employee concerning Infantino’s behaviour.

They described any suggestion of inappropriate conduct or regulatory breaches as categorically untrue.

Then-UEFA president Michel Platini knew of the relationship and confronted Infantino, demanding that either he or the woman leave.

The woman subsequently left UEFA with a pay-off and later secured another position in the football industry.

The allegations come at a very difficult time for Infantino, whose leadership of FIFA has faced criticism following the collapse of a controversial financing proposal involving outside investors.

UEFA recently voted unanimously to oppose the plan, while concerns over FIFA’s commercial direction have continued to grow.

Infantino is determined to continue in his role and has reportedly told people close to him that he has no intention of stepping down.

The latest allegations will pile more pressure on a FIFA president already facing a vocal backlash from across the football industry.