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FIFA response to The Times correction on Gianni Infantino’s pay

◆2 sources

FIFA responded to a correction by The Times concerning reports last week about the pay of its president, Gianni Infantino. The newspaper had reported that Infantino received a second salary from the US entity FIFA established to organise the World Cup, and that the payment was not included in FIFA’s financial report.

FIFA again described the matter as a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the organisation and its president.

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European football associations call for Infantino to leave

3 sources

Several European football associations continued to call for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to leave after a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich. Infantino apologised over a controversial commercial plan, but European officials considered the apology insufficient and said they wanted answers. The KNVB said it maintained its call for Infantino’s departure. It was not among the 36 members of the FIFA Council and did not attend the meeting.

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UEFA reform plan and search for FIFA presidential challenger

2 sources

UEFA presented an 11-point plan to reform FIFA after a meeting in Berlin of representatives of its 55 member associations. The proposals included curbing the FIFA president’s powers, a clearer separation of powers and greater transparency. UEFA had not yet selected a challenger to FIFA president Gianni Infantino for the election in Rabat on 18 March, with nominations due by 18 November. UEFA officials said they were seeking a candidate with broad support who could unite football bodies beyond Europe. Ramon Vega had announced his intention to run, but European officials doubted that he would obtain enough supporting nominations; Infantino was campaigning for re-election, including in meetings with African football leaders.

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Racism during Suriname’s match against Guatemala

4 sources

Suriname’s football team reported racist abuse, including monkey noises, from home supporters during its Nations League match in Guatemala. FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the incidents as completely unacceptable and said action would be taken. A Surinamese football association director said he would ultimately have preferred the team to leave the field, but the players and staff chose to finish the match.