FIFA Congress Stirred by Gianni Infantino's Trump Visit Tour - Trump's Visit with Gianni Infantino Stirs Up Waves at FIFA Congress
Title: Fireworks at FIFA Congress: Gianni Infantino's Late Arrival Sparks Outrage
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Gianni Infantino strutted the red carpet like he owned the joint, but even his charm and years of experience couldn't mask his tardiness at the FIFA Congress in Paraguay. This blunder led to a mass exodus of European delegates, including DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, abandoning the congress podium in Asunción during the event.
In a show of protest against Infantino's behavior, these European functionaries boycotted the congress after Infantino's late arrival, which was heavily criticized due to his Middle East trip with a controversial figure – none other than Donald Trump. The congress was delayed by over three hours because of Infantino's late arrival.
In a candid admission, Infantino claimed that his plane encountered problems, but many delegates had already taken issue with his arrival beforehand, seeing it as a breach of protocol due to his association with Trump.
Infantino justified his actions by explaining that he felt it was his duty to represent football and all concerned parties when accompanying Trump in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. But theEuropean delegates didn't see it that way; they felt he should have prioritized his attendance at the FIFA Congress instead.
Delegates reportedly vocalized their displeasure long before the UEFA boycott, with many expressing their frustration at Infantino's tardiness. Paraguay's President Santiago Pena warmly welcomed Infantino, despite his absence at the usual banquet the previous evening.
Trump praised Infantino during their meetings, calling out, "Great job, Gianni" in a video captured during the trip. However, many FIFA delegates did not share the sentiment. Norwegian federation president Lise Klaveness stated that Infantino should be present on the days they were present, emphasizing the importance of the congress to them.
As the show went on, the absence of European representatives on stage was met with silence. Infantino returned to the usual enthusiasm, promising a trouble-free World Cup in America and announcing financial records for the 2023-2026 cycle, amounting to 13 billion dollars – double the revenue of the previous cycle (6.5 billion dollars/2019-2022).
While the delay might seem minor in the grand scheme of things, Infantino's misstep undoubtedly left European football officials scratching their heads and questioning his priorities.
- Gianni Infantino
- FIFA
- Donald Trump
- UEFA
- Paraguay
- Asunción
- Bernd Neuendorf
- Aleksander Ceferin
- DFB
- Despite the FIFA Congress in Paraguay being delayed due to Gianni Infantino's late arrival, the Commission was also asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, highlighting the importance of addressing environmental concerns alongside sporting events.
- After the heated dispute at the FIFA Congress, football fans across European leagues, like the Premier League, might have found solace in their favorite sports, temporarily diverting their attention from the political turmoil in international football governance.
