UEFA criticizes FIFA President Gianni Infantino for prioritizing “private political interests” after arriving late to FIFA’s congress in Paraguay.
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UEFA not a fan of Infantino arriving late
Infantino has been on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East alongside U.S. President Donald Trump.
He arrived two hours and 17 minutes after the scheduled 10:30 start time (14:30 BST) for the FIFA event.
Infantino said his trip prior to the congress was crucial, as it allowed him “to represent football” in “important discussions” with “world leaders in politics and economy.”
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin led a group of European delegates, joined by Football Association Chair Debbie Hewitt. in staging a walkout during a break in the event.
When the meeting resumed, there were visibly empty seats at the CONMEBOL Convention Center in Luque.
UEFA said in a statement that the “last-minute changes” to the schedule were “deeply regrettable,” but added that “a point” had to be made.
“The Fifa congress is one of the most important meetings in world football, where all the 211 nations in the world’s game gather to discuss issues that affect the sport right across the world,” said European football’s governing body.
“To have the timetable changed at the last minute for what appears to be simply to accommodate private political interests, does the game no service and appears to put its interests second.”
“We are all in post to serve football, from the streets to the podium, and Uefa members of the Fifa council felt the need on this occasion to make a point that the game comes first and to leave as originally scheduled.”
Why was Infantino late?
Infantino had been in the Middle East with Trump, visiting leaders from Qatar, hosts of the 2022 World Cup, and Saudi Arabia, set to host in 2034.
At one ceremony, Infantino watched as Trump signed a golden football presented to him by the Emir of Qatar.
Norwegian Football Association President Lise Klaveness also spoke out.
She has spent two years pressing FIFA for remedies for the families of migrant workers in Qatar and joined the walkout at Thursday’s congress.
