UEFA made a severance payment to a woman alleged to have had a relationship with Gianni Infantino while he was its general secretary, according to a Daily Telegraph investigation, external.
A spokesperson for the current FIFA president was reported to have told the paper that Infantino strongly rejects the claims as entirely false.
UEFA, where Infantino served as general secretary from 2009 to 2016, said in a statement that a departure payment had been made to the individual concerned.
The claims emerge as Infantino fights for his position as FIFA president following the collapse of plans to sell stakes in World Cup rights to private investors.
BBC Sport has contacted FIFA and Infantino for comment.
The Telegraph reported that UEFA paid the woman a six-figure sum; she is alleged to have had a relationship with the married Infantino during his time at European football’s governing body.
A FIFA spokesperson told the Telegraph that Infantino categorically denies the allegations and described any suggestion of improper conduct or rule breaches as defamatory.
They added that no employee at UEFA or FIFA has ever filed a complaint about Infantino’s behavior because, the spokesperson said, no such incident occurred.
UEFA confirmed the payment included covering the woman’s fees to complete an MBA at a local business school.
It said all payments complied with the regulations in force at the time, which have since been tightened to reflect those of a modern, high-profile organization.