Latest news with #75thFIFACongress
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UEFA move to defuse anger over Infantino delay at FIFA Congress
UEFA on Monday moved to defuse the situation after fuming European delates staged a walkout at FIFA's Congress in Paraguay last week when world football chief Gianni Infantino jetted in late following meetings in Saudi Arabia and Qatar with US President Donald Trump. FIFA president Infantino's belated arrival at the global governing body's annual meeting on Thursday caused a delay of more than two hours. UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin, along with other representatives of European football, including the president of the Norwegian FA, left the 75th FIFA Congress in protest at the delay. On Monday, European football's governing body described the relationship between Ceferin and Infantino as "very good... marked by open communication and mutual respect". "The recent episode was isolated and does not reflect our ongoing collaboration," the UEFA statement added. The annual meeting of world football, already pushed back an hour from its original schedule, finally began more than two hours late. Infantino for his part issued an apology for his tardiness in remarks to the congress before the delegates left. Infantino blamed flight problems for his late arrival but stressed the importance of attending the meetings in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the hosts of the 2022 and 2034 World Cups respectively. "As FIFA president, my responsibility is to make decisions in the best interests of the organization (...) I felt I had to be there to represent football and all of you," Infantino said of his visit to the Gulf. UEFA issued a strongly worded statement following the walkout, describing the disruption as "deeply regrettable", accusing the FIFA chief of putting his "private political interests" ahead of the sport. Ceferin has publicly opposed Infantino on several issues in recent years, particularly the plan — ultimately abandoned — to hold the World Cup every two years instead of every four. Recently, the UEFA president described the prospect of a 64-team World Cup in 2030 to celebrate the tournament's centenary, as a "bad idea". cfe/ea/iwd
France 24
19-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
UEFA move to defuse anger over Infantino delay at FIFA Congress
FIFA president Infantino's belated arrival at the global governing body's annual meeting on Thursday caused a delay of more than two hours. UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin, along with other representatives of European football, including the president of the Norwegian FA, left the 75th FIFA Congress in protest at the delay. On Monday, European football's governing body described the relationship between Ceferin and Infantino as "very good... marked by open communication and mutual respect". "The recent episode was isolated and does not reflect our ongoing collaboration," the UEFA statement added. The annual meeting of world football, already pushed back an hour from its original schedule, finally began more than two hours late. Infantino for his part issued an apology for his tardiness in remarks to the congress before the delegates left. Infantino blamed flight problems for his late arrival but stressed the importance of attending the meetings in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the hosts of the 2022 and 2034 World Cups respectively. "As FIFA president, my responsibility is to make decisions in the best interests of the organization (...) I felt I had to be there to represent football and all of you," Infantino said of his visit to the Gulf. UEFA issued a strongly worded statement following the walkout, describing the disruption as "deeply regrettable", accusing the FIFA chief of putting his "private political interests" ahead of the sport. Ceferin has publicly opposed Infantino on several issues in recent years, particularly the plan — ultimately abandoned — to hold the World Cup every two years instead of every four.
Arab Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait Football Association delegation attends 75th FIFA Congress in Paraguay
KUWAIT CITY, May 17: A delegation from the Kuwait Football Association (KFA) took part in the 75th FIFA Congress, held on May 15 in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay. The KFA was represented by Osama Hussein, Vice President for Technical Affairs, and Ayman Al-Husseini, a member of the Board of Directors. Osama Hussein actively participated in the official voting process on various resolutions presented during the congress. Meanwhile, Ayman Al-Husseini was selected as one of three observer representatives to oversee the electronic voting process, underscoring FIFA's commitment to transparency and integrity. On the sidelines of the event, the Kuwaiti officials held key meetings with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, as well as several other prominent sports figures. Discussions focused on strategies to advance Kuwaiti football, enhance its regional and international presence, and explore new development opportunities. The Congress agenda covered several important topics, including: The FIFA Annual Report A review of 2024 activities and events The financial statements for the previous year Elections for members of FIFA's Disciplinary, Ethics, Appeals, Governance, Audit, and Compliance Committees The event reaffirmed Kuwait's active role in global football governance and its ongoing efforts to strengthen its position within the international football community.
Winnipeg Free Press
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Infantino trades status for White House access
Opinion Earlier this week, reporters at Politico were shown a letter sent by Human Rights Watch (HRW) to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. In it, director of global initiatives Minky Worden expressed the organization's 'grave concerns' about next year's World Cup, which the United States will co-host along with Mexico and Canada. Citing the extralegal border detentions, anti-LGBTTQ+ discrimination and 'chilling' clampdowns on freedom of speech that are the daily reality of the second Trump administration, HRW called on FIFA to use its leverage in effecting changes to U.S. policy. If doing so proved impossible, the letter concluded, FIFA should 'reconsider the hosting decision.' ALEX BRANDON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS U.S. President Donald Trump signs a FIFA soccer ball as Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino look on in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday. It's unlikely the envelope was even opened. The same day the letter's contents were reported, Infantino was sitting in an opulent Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, meeting room alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and senior presidential adviser and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. He used his speaking time to repeat his favourite buzzwords and phrases: unity, transformation, 'global football GDP.' In what was ostensibly an investment forum, he was a side act to the main show. At the event's conclusion, the United States and Saudi Arabia announced a weapons deal worth US$142 billion, the largest ever between the two countries. He was also in his comfort zone. Like Musk, Infantino is part of an unelected, unvetted segment of the Trump cabinet. He enjoys proximity to power, and the power he seems to prefer is that of autocrats, oligarchs and hangers-on whose collective worldview was formed in the racial panic of the late 19th century. In what he surely accepted as a happy coincidence, the 75th FIFA Congress opened in Paraguay while he glad-handed in the Gulf. After all, who has time for actual football discussions when one can cozy up to journalist-killers, proponents of anti-white racism in South Africa, and a U.S. President whose private army of brownshirts is rounding up undesirables back home? When he eventually did show up, the European representatives walked out in protest. At some point, world football will have to wake up to the fact that Infantino has essentially traded the FIFA presidency for access to the White House. In at least the near term, this means the governing body of the world's most popular sport — mandated to invest in global grassroots football projects and, yes, organize tournaments for men and women of all age levels — is in actuality a file on the Resolute desk. Given the transactional nature of this administration, it follows that FIFA's raison d'etre has devolved into a money-spinning enterprise on ideological lines, not unlike Musk's businesses or those of the other cronies who clinked glasses on Air Force One en route to the Middle East. The Club World Cup, that hugely unpopular Infantino brainchild set to start next month in the United States, is perhaps the most jarringly decadent project in FIFA history. With schedules already packed, the clubs don't want it; with fixture congestion making injuries likely, the players don't want it, either. And, if the host city billboards advertising tickets is any indication, the fans have no idea what it is or simply have better things to do with their time. In short, this event need not exist. Nobody wanted it outside Infantino and, not surprisingly, the Saudis. It's not like the FIFA boss went to Riyadh on a joyride. Thirteen months ago, Aramco (officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Company) became FIFA's highest-paying sponsor when it signed a deal worth US$400 million. In December, the Kingdom was confirmed as uncontested host of the 2034 World Cup. Around the same time, the streaming service DAZN stepped up to acquire the Club World Cup's broadcast rights, which no other outlet seemed willing to touch. Already bleeding money, it somehow paid US$1 billion for the privilege and agreed to show the games, worldwide, for free. It had no way to actually pay for the rights, but then it was never going to. In February, Saudi Arabia's Private Investment Fund (PIF), which also has stake in Aramco, bought a minority share in DAZN for, yes, US$1 billion. (As they've grown used to doing, since no one else has the courage, it was the women footballers who called out FIFA for its Aramco partnership.) Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. In other words, Aramco and the PIF are not only underwriting their own World Cup nine years from now, but the 2026 competition and the upcoming Club World Cup as well. Even so, in no way should they be cast as sole villains in this nauseating drama. Infantino gave them a product to buy, and they bought it. But with FIFA now tucked into the Trump administration, they also needed American sign-off. They got that, too. At this point, it's hardly worth mentioning that FIFA is a registered not-for-profit organization. That operational camouflage has long worn off. It can now be seen for what it is: a vehicle of power for sale to the highest bidder, basic human rights be damned. jerradpeters@
Dubai Eye
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
UAE official makes history with senior FIFA appointment
In a major milestone for UAE sports leadership, Counsellor Mohammed Al Kamali has been appointed Chairman of FIFA's powerful Disciplinary Committee, becoming the first Asian to ever hold the position. The announcement came during the 75th FIFA Congress held in Asunción, Paraguay, chaired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and attended by global football representatives. Al Kamali's appointment is seen as a strong vote of confidence in the UAE's growing influence in international football governance. The UAE Football Association was represented at the session by Second Vice President Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, Board Member Amal Hassan Bu Shallakh, and Secretary-General Mohammed Abdullah Hazzam Al Dhaheri. The Congress also featured a review of FIFA's 2024 activities, financial updates and elections to key judicial committees. On the sidelines, the UAE delegation held bilateral meetings with several member associations. Al Kamali called the role a great honour and thanked the UAE's leadership for its continued support and for empowering citizens to represent the country on the world stage. He also extended appreciation to the UAE Football Association for championing national talent and enabling Emiratis to take on key roles in international sports governance.
