FIFA stoops to embarrassing new low with response to Gianni Infantino criticism

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Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

FIFA has stooped to a new low by publicly responding to media outlets that report negatively on president Gianni Infantino.

The divisive supremo has faced fresh criticism ahead of FIFA's 76th Congress, which will take place on 30 April in Vancouver, Canada, one of the host cities of the upcoming World Cup.

Global News has revealed that Infantino's people requested to be transported through the city of Vancouver with a "level-four motorcade" that would allow him to go through traffic lights.

The outlet reports that this would have put him on par with the security level for the US president and one level above the Canadian Prime Minister. A level-four motorcade is one level below what the Pope is entitled to.

Naturally, this outlandish request was denied. But the motorcade is just the tip of the iceberg. The report also divulged that taxpayers in British Columbia remain in the dark about the cost of FIFA's "elaborate" security scheme for the World Cup.

FIFA responds to Infantino criticism

The story went viral on social media and was picked up by pretty much every major news outlet. The reception was, of course, overwhelmingly negative. It only hammered home that Infantino has lost all touch with reality.

In the grand scheme of things, though, it is probably one of the more harmless gaffes Infantino has been guilty of. The whole thing would have simply blown over by the end of the day.

But FIFA has made sure to show the world how low it is willing to stoop to protect its beloved president. The official FIFA communications account has taken to X to reply to numerous news outlets with a statement from a "FIFA spokesperson" in which Infantino is absolved of any blame.

"For attribution to a FIFA spokesperson and to include in any updated reporting," one of the posts read. "The FIFA President was not aware of, or involved in, any requests with authorities in relation to his transportation and security matters for the 76th FIFA Congress.

"In line with previous arrangements for such events, FWC26 Canada, as local organisers, liaised with authorities requesting support in relation to all delegates, guests, and stakeholders.

"FIFA does not comment on transportation and security protocols involving the FIFA President and would like to thank law enforcement in Vancouver for their ongoing support this week."

This latest blunder comes just a day after Norway’s football federation called for the abolition of Infantino's "Peace Prize," the inaugural edition of which was awarded to Donald Trump - who then proceeded to abduct the president of Venezuela and to bomb Iran.

The Norwegians correctly argue that the very existence of this award makes a mockery of FIFA's duty of neutrality, which is enshrined in the governing body's statutes.

An advocacy group already pointed this out in December and accused Infantino of breaching FIFA's ethics code for cosying up to Trump and other world leaders. FIFA, though, evidently doesn't care.

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