India, Aug. 9 -- FIFA on Saturday launched a stunning defence of Gianni Infantino amid the revolt from UEFA, calling it "a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine" world football's governing body and its president.

FIFA's statement came after UEFA, on Friday, confirmed that it had made a "departure payment" to a female employee who was allegedly in a relationship with Infantino when he served as the European football body's general secretary between 2009 and 2016.

According to a report in Britain's Telegraph, UEFA revealed that the woman received a six-figure sum, with the payment also covering her MBA course fees. The governing body said the payment was "in line" with regulations at the time.

Infantino has strongly denied th...