FIFA has hit back at what it calls "a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine" the governing body and president Gianni Infantino, following UEFA's confirmation of a departure payment made to a female employee who allegedly had a relationship with Infantino during his time as UEFA general secretary.
UEFA confirms payment
UEFA acknowledged on Saturday that a "departure payment" was made to the woman, who was allegedly involved romantically with Infantino during his tenure as the European organisation's general secretary. Infantino refutes the claim.
It was reported that the woman received a six-figure settlement, with UEFA confirming the payment along with funding for an MBA course, saying it was "in line" with regulations at the time.
FIFA's response
While not directly responding to UEFA's statement, FIFA accused Infantino's critics of trying to weaken his authority and oust him from office without following proper re-election procedures.
A lengthy statement said: "It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president.
"Those who do not have the support of FIFA's member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA's established democratic processes."
The statement added: "Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its president. Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true."
Infantino's career and pressure
The claims add pressure on Infantino, who spent 16 years at UEFA and served as general secretary from 2009 to 2016 before becoming FIFA president. This follows his unsuccessful bid to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, a proposal dismissed by UEFA and two other continental confederations.
On Wednesday, Infantino secured support from FIFA's management board after a meeting in Morocco, and offered an apology regarding how the process had been conducted.
UEFA's warning that its 55 member nations would boycott FIFA competitions until the scheme was scrapped remains unchanged, with the European body declaring on Thursday that Wednesday's statement "changes nothing".
Denials and UEFA's stance
After the Daily Telegraph's revelations on Friday, a FIFA spokesperson was quoted as telling the publication that Infantino "strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations".
A UEFA spokesperson said: "We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for a MBA course at a local business school.
"The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time. Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations - which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level - reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation."
