Infantino late show sparks angry delegates’ walkout at FIFA Congress
ASUNCION: World football federation FIFA made a mess of what should have been a celebratory congress in Asuncion, Paraguay, when president Gianni Infantino’s late arrival delayed kickoff by three hours.
Infantino’s decision to squeeze in meetings with United States President Donald Trump and Saudi leaders ahead of congress had already upset delegates after a reshuffled of a meeting of FIFA Council. He semi-joked in an apology that his representations had been of crucial importance to the officials impatiently awaiting him.
This was not good enough for various delegates who walked out, The departing members included eight European members of the FIFA Council including UEFA president Alexander Čeferin and Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt.
Other delegates who left in protest included Norway federation president Lise Klaveness, who called Infantino’s late arrival “disappointing” and “concerning.”
In a statement she explained: “The annual congress is the single most important body to ensure good governance of international football; 210 member associations have travelled from all over the world to participate at this Congress here in Paraguay, expecting professional leadership and dialogue at the highest level.
“I understand the frustration and disappointment from European members, and we feel sorry for the excellent hosts in Paraguay … 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.”
The farrago was not a good look for FIFA in a year which features the controversial expanded Club World Cup up north in the US. It also took the gloss of the presentation off a record four-year budget forecast of $13bn for the 2023-2026 cycle. Some $2bn is expected from the Club World Cup.
Infantino had always been expected to focus on the financial power of FIFA at the Paraguayan capital’s Convention Center. Congress duly rubberstamped its approval of the ever-expanding budget, of decisions including the expansion of the Women’s World Cup to 48 from 2031 and new measures to combat racism.
The annual report circulated among FIFA’s 211 member associations stated that “FIFA is well positioned to execute its revenue budget,” with a forecast increase of 72pc compared to the previous cycle, following a revised version of an initial report which did not feature the Club World Cup.
The revenue budget for the 2023-2026 cycle is expected to increase by $2bn, “demonstrating the commercial strength and global reach of FIFA’s competitions.” FIFA expects to reinvest $11.673bn – more than 90pc – in worldwide.
Some 75pc comes from TV and marketing rights ($1.5 billion) and 25pc from other rights and ticket sales ($500m). All proceeds will be used exclusively for club football and to fund the $1.1bn operating expenses.
Congress was being held one month after South American confederation CONMEBOL proposed 64 teams for the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. The idea has been ridiculed by other confederations.
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