FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologises after delegates walk out of FIFA Congress

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has rendered an unqualified apology to all member states that had to walk out of the FIFA Congress after he turned up late following his meeting with Donald Trump.

Delegates had to leave the FIFA Congress after the president turned up late following a trip to the Middle East with the United States president, Donald Trump.

The Swiss-Italian football administrator’s tenure has often been shrouded in criticism. On Thursday, Infantino seemed to have muddied the water by turning up three hours late at the FIFA Congress in Paraguay.

Delegates of a number of European FIFA member associations walked out of the Congress in protest of the delay.

Reports have it that Infantino’s trip to the Middle East with US President Trump, which included meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani within the week, was the reason for his delayed arrival in Paraguay.

Representatives from international football associations gathered in Asuncion for a week of talks during Infantino’s absence, while the FIFA President was seen as a member of Trump’s extended entourage.

According to the Guardian, UEFA president Alexander Ceferin and Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt were among the few delegates to walk out of the FIFA Congress, followed by the Norwagian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness who was also one of the delegates to leave the convention.

The high-profile delegations, however, in total dismay labelled Infantino’s delay as ‘disappointing’ and ‘concerning’, and demanded an explanation and apology from FIFA.

Leading to that, Infantino has now released an apology for his delay at the FIFA Congress:

“As president of FIFA, my responsibility is to make decisions in the interests of the organisation.

“I decided to be the last two days in the Middle East knowing the 2034 World Cup will be in Saudi Arabia and the World Cup in 2022 was in Qatar.

“The 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup will be in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Some important discussions took place in regard to the World Cup, and I felt that I needed to be there to represent football and all of you.

“We had an issue with our flight, which made this delay happen. Apologies. Sorry, and I am looking forward to spending time with you here.”