FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly denied allegations that UEFA paid off an alleged former lover during his tenure as the European football organization’s general secretary. The claims, reported recently, suggest that the woman received a six-figure sum after ending her association with UEFA.

UEFA acknowledged that a “departure payment” and fees for an MBA course at a local business school were made to the woman upon her departure. The organization emphasized that these payments were compliant with the staff regulations in place at that time. UEFA also noted that these internal regulations have since been revised to align with standards expected of a modern, high-profile institution. A FIFA spokesperson echoed UEFA’s position, stating that the allegations were “categorically untrue” and that Infantino “strongly denies” any wrongdoing. FIFA further noted that no complaints regarding Infantino’s conduct have been raised by any employee at either UEFA or FIFA.

Infantino, 56, who worked at UEFA for 16 years before becoming FIFA president in 2016, is married with four children. The controversy arises amid ongoing scrutiny of his leadership, particularly following a recently abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. This plan faced widespread criticism and led to calls for Infantino’s resignation.

Despite these pressures, Infantino retained the support of FIFA executives at a meeting held in Morocco earlier this week, choosing not to step down. He has issued apologies for “errors” related to the contested World Cup proposals but maintains his commitment to his role.

On the broader football stage, UEFA’s intention to potentially boycott the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Brazil if Infantino remains in office has drawn public attention. England footballer Lucy Bronze, the first player to publicly support the idea of a boycott, stated that the move would be for the future well-being of the sport. Bronze emphasized the importance of protecting the game’s integrity for upcoming generations of players.

As the situation unfolds, both Infantino and UEFA continue to reject the allegations while the football community debates the potential repercussions of the accusations and the president’s contested leadership.