FIFA Storm: President Infantino Late for Meeting Because of Mr. Trump, Delegates Leave Out of Anger

FIFA President Gianni Infantino angered members by leaving a meeting after arriving three hours late due to a trip with US President Donald Trump.

President Infantino late for FIFA meeting because he accompanied Mr. Trump - Photo: AFP

This week, Mr Infantino accompanied US President Trump on a trip to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, a trip he prioritized over the annual FIFA member meeting in Paraguay.

This angered FIFA members and they turned their backs on President Gianni Infantino. They walked out en masse while he was speaking at the organization's congress. He had previously arrived late to the meeting because he attended events with the US president.

Although the 55-year-old president traveled by private jet from Qatar to Asuncion, he arrived several hours late for the meeting, sparking angry reactions from delegates.

And Mr Infantino was left humiliated when scores of officials walked out in protest, including eight members of the FIFA council and the head of the English Football Association (FA), Debbie Hewitt.

Scene of FIFA's annual meeting in Paraguay - Photo: AFP

Norwegian Football Association President Lise Klaveness criticised Mr Infantino and said his late arrival was disappointing and worrying.

"I understand the disappointment and frustration from FIFA's European members. And we are deeply saddened by our wonderful hosts Paraguay," Ms Klaveness said in a statement.

“We expect FIFA to explain this situation to its members and ensure that the voices of its member associations are heard and respected in the future.”

UEFA was also unhappy, criticizing the last-minute change in the congress schedule as seemingly only serving personal political interests.

Mr Infantino delayed the congress by three hours. Although he apologized to FIFA members, he still defended his trip to the Middle East with Mr Trump.

"First of all, let me apologize for the inconvenience caused by having to postpone the start of the congress," he told delegates.

As well as my arrival later than I wanted... As FIFA president, I decided to be in the Middle East for the past two days because the 2034 World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia. The 2022 World Cup was held in Qatar. The 2025 Club World Cup will be held in the United States, and the 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.”

Mr. Infantino often accompanies US President Donald Trump on trips - Photo: AFP

“Obviously there were important discussions there regarding the World Cup with a number of world political and economic leaders. And I felt I had to be there to represent all of you, to represent football,” he added.

During his trip to the Middle East, Mr Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, with Mr Infantino joining the meetings.

Mr. Infantino often took pictures with Mr. Trump ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The US President also said that Mr. Infantino was "my long-time good friend".

THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/song-gio-fifa-chu-tich-infantino-tre-hop-vi-ong-trump-dai-bieu-phan-no-bo-ve-20250516082154962.htm