FIFA president Gianni Infantino was left embarrassed after members walked out on him during a congress in Paraguay after he had arrived three hours late.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was left red faced after members of the global football governing body walked out on him when he arrived three hours late for a congress.
Infantino had been on a trip to the Middle East, where he joined US President Donald Trump on his visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but with FIFA having a congress in Paraguay, he dashed to the South American country only to arrive three hours late.
FIFA members did not take it kindly that they had to wait for three hours for their boss and they reacted by walking out in protest, among them eight members of the ruling FIFA council.
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“I understand the frustration and disappointment from European FIFA members, and we feel sorry for the excellent hosts in Paraguay,” Norway Football Federation boss Lise Klaveness said in a statement, as quoted by the Dailymail.
“We now expect FIFA to explain this situation to its members and ensure that the voices of the member associations are heard and respected going forward.”
Infantino Defends Middle East Trip
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The protesting members were unhappy that they had to be kept waiting for a man who had been on what they felt to be a ‘private trip’ but Infantino defended himself, saying it was necessary to attend the meetings in the Middle East as they were beneficial to FIFA.
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“Let me just start by presenting my apologies for the inconvenience for having to move the Congress kick-off time,” Infantino told delegates.
“Also, for having arrived later than what I would have wanted... As president of FIFA, I decided to be for the last two of days in the Middle East, knowing that the 2034 World Cup will be in Saudi Arabia, the 2022 World Cup was in Qatar and that the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States and the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
“Obviously some important discussions took place there with regards to the World Cup with some world leaders in politics and economy and I felt like I had to be there to represent all of you, to represent football.”
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Infantino and Trump have been close since the US President was sworn in in January, with the FIFA boss looking for his support as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup set to be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.