KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made no headway in trying to persuade the International Olympic Committee that proposals for a biennial World Cup have been misunderstood.

Infantino, a comparatively new member of the IOC, sought to be reassuring at an online Olympic summit about plans which have sparked controversy and disagreement within the international football federation.

An IOC statement said: “The FIFA president explained that the ongoing discussions were broader in scope than a biennial World Cup, and that what had been presented so far was only the preliminary results, which are still under discussion within FIFA.”

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, has been highly critical of not only a perceived threat to the balance of the worldwide sporting calendar but the failure of FIFA to consult both him and the IOC.

That diplomatic mis-step backfired.

The IOC summed up the antagonistic mood towards FIFA by adding: “Attendees voiced serious concerns over proposals from FIFA for a biennial World Cup and the impact on the world-wide sport event calendar.

“It was noted that, until today, there has been neither any information nor consultation with other IFs, Continental Associations of NOCs or the IOC. He offered to engage with the Olympic Movement in these discussions.”

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