KEIR RADNEDGE in DOHA: Gianni Infantino was almost upstaged by his own press chief at the end of his eve-of-the-finals media conference today in Doha.

The FIFA president had responded at length to criticism of the Qatari hosting context of the World Cup, including concerns from western LGBTQ+ fan groups whose community is nervous about breaching Qatari legislation.

Infantino sought to reassure them, telling 400 journalists: “I have been speaking about this topic with the highest leadership of this country. I can confirm – they can confirm – everyone is welcome.”

As soon as Infantino had concluded the conference Bryan Swanson, his Scottish director of media relations, seized the moment to issue a personal statement.

Swanson, a virulent critic of the pre-Infantino FIFA in a former journalistic capacity with UK Sky Sports News, said: “I’ve seen a lot of criticism of Gianni Infantino, particularly from the gay community.

“I’m sitting here as a gay man. We’ve received assurances that everyone will be welcome. Because Gianni Infantino is not gay does not mean he does not care He does care. You see the public side, I see the private side and we have spoken on a lot of occasions about this.

“We care at FIFA about everyone. We are an inclusive organisation and I have a number of gay colleagues so I am fully aware of the debate but I also know what we stand for and why.”

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