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Fifa-Kongress in Doha
Russia not mentioned at all: How Fifa President Infantino shoots himself more and more offside
Gianni Infantino at the Fifa Congress in Doha, where the World Cup draw will take place on Friday
© Franck Fife / AFP
In his opening speech at the Fifa Congress in Doha, President Gianni Infantino avoids clear words about Russia’s role in the Ukraine war. Instead, there are general appeals for peace. Unfortunately, it has once again been revealed that this President cannot be helped anymore.
While Gianni Infantino was still giving his welcome speech at the Fifa Congress in Doha, the mood on social media was boiling up. The President of the World Football Association gave the users several reasons for this. First he made an unctuous appeal to “end conflicts and wars”. “For our children, for our future. Please enter into dialogue – even with the worst enemy.” Then he described the 2018 World Cup in Russia as a “great success” both in terms of sport and culture. In view of the inhumane war against Ukraine, it is more than questionable praise.
Finally, he addressed the “terrible events in Ukraine” directly and at the same time warned not to forget the wars “also in other parts of the world” in order to end this part of the speech with a quote from none other than Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, “that sport have the power to change the world”.
Infantino got on very well with Putin
He did not mention the aggressor Russia and its football association. Not to mention Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom Infantino got on so well years ago.
Apparently you have to be Fifa President to touch such a rhetorical sauce without blushing. And one has to be quite shameless to call a World Cup in Qatar “the best World Cup in history, the greatest show in the world” given the serious violations of human rights and the corruption involved in awarding it.
Anyone who thought that the congress would at least vote on a suspension of the Russian association was wrong. Instead, the exclusions of Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Kenya were extended. The Russian association, which is excluded from participating in the World Cup, was even present in Doha with a large delegation, the national flag was hoisted normally. No sign of distance. The Ukrainians sent a greeting from home via video. Their association president Andrei Pawelko found clear words and denounced the aggressor Russia. So that was possible.
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Unfortunately, his power in the association is great
A Twitter user reacted laconically to Infantino’s speech with the rhetorical question: “Did anyone seriously expect anything else?” No, unfortunately you have to answer. This narcissistic president, who has even moved his residence to Doha, manages with almost somnambulistic certainty to sideline himself more and more.
Unfortunately, his position within Fifa seems to be pretty solid. The investigations against him in Switzerland, the disempowerment of his own ethics council, his proximity to the autocrats of this world and the human rights violations in Qatar, the failed plans for a World Cup rhythm every two years (which he has not yet completely buried) – on the Schweizer rolls off everything. He is standing for re-election next year. There is no other candidate in sight.
