Trump and Infantino share striking similarities in their leadership styles, according to a human rights expert.
On the Heat: FIFA's Top Brass Facing Heat Over Leadership Style
Sylvia Schenk, a renowned human rights expert, has unleashed a barrage of criticism against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, labeling his reign as a "king-like" display, devoid of any meaningful resistance. In a candid interview with "t-online" before the Club World Cup kickoff in the States, Schenk branded Infantino's alliance with ex-US President Donald Trump as a power play.
Schenk, who formerly served on FIFA's human rights committee and was instrumental in the preparations for the contentious 2022 World Cup in Qatar, described the FIFA presidency as a playground for the power-hungry. "Infantino struts around like a peacock at FIFA, and no one's batting an eye. It's a spectacle to behold," Schenk declared candidly.
Infantino and Trump: Two Peas in a Pod
Schenk notes that Infantino (55) and Trump (78) share a common trait - a voracious appetite for power and the limelight. "They're two sides of the same coin. Both are flamboyant and thrive in the limelight," she said. Trump is leveraging the Club World Cup and the upcoming World Cup, primarily hosted in the States but extending to Mexico and Canada, for his personal gains. "Trump is no stranger to populist exploitation of sports. It pulls heartstrings among specific voter groups, and with his approval ratings plummeting, he might find it more crucial now," Schenk asserted.
According to Schenk, Trump is utilizing FIFA as a puppet, stroking Infantino's ego in the process. The FIFA president has made countless public appearances with Trump in recent months, attending his inauguration and accompanying him on a Middle East tour in May. Consequently, Infantino was tardy for the FIFA Congress in Paraguay, sparking disapproval, particularly from European officials.
Infantino: A Stronger King Than Blatter
When compared to his predecessor Joseph Blatter, who stepped down in 2015 under a cloud of scandal, Infantino wields more power, according to Schenk. "Infantino reigns, and his subjects follow, even if they're unwilling. He gathers power through consent, and no one dares to challenge him," the 73-year-old explained.
Schenk clarified that Infantino's relationship with Trump wouldn't impact the political climate in the States. "To be honest, it's been the other way around - the US has been used as a leverage to sway football and Infantino to bring about changes in other countries. But I'd say, clean up your own mess first before asking FIFA to overthrow the American president. No one's that powerful," Schenk cautioned.
Despite the controversial alliance between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former US President Donald Trump, Schenk believes it's Trump who leverages the sport for personal political gains. Infantino, a mirror image of Trump in terms of power-hunger and limelight appetite, is often seen with Trump at public appearances, drawing criticism for his absenteeism at the FIFA Congress in Paraguay.
