Foot: Infantino procrastinates on a biennial World Cup but advances on his re-election to Fifa
Gianni Infantino at the 72nd FIFA Congress.
REUTERS - KAI PFAFFENBACH
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
3 mins
Gianni Infantino, president of the International Football Federation (Fifa), announced on March 31, 2022 during the 72nd FIFA Congress that he is seeking a third term.
On the other hand, the Swiss temporized concerning the project of a World Cup organized every two years instead of every four years.
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Steps aside to dodge criticism and a step forward to show his ambition.
This March 31, 2022 in Doha, Gianni Infantino showed his art of politics during the 72nd Congress of an International Football Federation (Fifa) which he has chaired since 2016. A Fifa which he also wants to lead for a third term, the second of which was won in Paris in 2019.
"
Since you are all present, united as member associations, I want to tell you first of all that I will be a candidate for my re-election next year, during the 73rd Congress
", he said in a speech of closing, to the applause of the participants.
Defense of the World Cup in Qatar…
During this annual general meeting, the one who succeeded Joseph Blatter strove to defend Qatar, the future host country of the next World Cup, scheduled for unprecedented dates (November 21-December 18).
A meeting during which the president of the Norwegian Football Federation, Lise Klaveness, considered that "
in 2010, the World Cup was awarded
[in Qatar in particular, editor's note]
by FIFA in an unacceptable way with unacceptable consequences
" and hammered that "
injured migrant workers or the families of those who died during the preparation of the World Cup must be taken into account
".
At a press conference, Gianni Infantino responded in his own way to criticism of this small Persian Gulf state, a major hydrocarbon producer.
"
It will be a great World Cup, a unique World Cup in terms of heritage
," he said.
I think we are already witnessing the legacy of this World Cup before it even started, whether in terms of social impact, for people, for workers, for human rights, in Qatar and in the Middle East
”.
The former head of the administration of the European confederation added: “
There is a bit of a biased point of view on the part of a part of the Western world, of which I am a part, towards the Arab world.
However, I think that this World Cup will be an opportunity for the Arab world, Qatar and the entire Gulf region, to present themselves to the eyes of the world.
»
Temporization on a World Cup every two years
Gianni Infantino was also asked about the plan to reform the world football calendar, including a World Cup every two years, which a majority of Europeans and South Americans do not seem to want.
A project which suddenly was not even on the agenda at Doha.
“
We studied this project.
We realized that it is feasible and that it would even be positive for a large part of the world but there are also strong oppositions
, he underlined.
This is exactly where the discussions should start.
Because we could go to the vote and get a majority.
But we are convinced of the fact that it is more important to exchange, discuss and try to convince everyone
”.
He concludes: “
We were thinking about different options.
We will take the time necessary.
We are not in a hurry.
The world calendar is in place until 2023. If we find an agreement within a week, that's great.
If it's in a year, that's great too.
“Will the project of a World Cup every two years instead of every four years come back to the fore, if Gianni Infantino is re-elected at the start of 2023?
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