Shortly before the deadline for presidential candidates, Gianni Infantino presented himself as a peacemaker. The controversial FIFA boss is aiming for re-election.
Gianni Infantino had taken off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, and his voice was pleading. “My request to all of you is to consider a temporary ceasefire for a month during the World Cup,” the FIFA President appealed to world leaders – presenting himself as a concerned peacemaker for Ukraine at the G20 summit.
It must be credited to the scandal-ridden world association boss that he cut a surprisingly good figure in his speech in Indonesia. In contrast to his often embarrassing performances in the recent past, Infantino played the statesman quite convincingly when he offered US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov the forthcoming finals in Qatar as an “occasion for a positive gesture”.
Infantino with self-promotion
Infantino managed his media-effective performance at the best possible time. After all, not only does the most controversial finals in history begin on Sunday, which the FIFA boss constantly defends against the fierce criticism. Infantino was also able to advertise his personal plans in Bali. After all, the deadline for candidates to be admitted to the top post at the world association ends on Wednesday.
Has written a letter to the 32 participants in the World Cup in Qatar: FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Although Infantino, who has been in office since 2016, has been heavily criticized, the Swiss is considered a big favourite. So far there is no other candidate for the successor to Joseph Blatter, who was confirmed in office in 2019 without an opponent. The presidential election will take place in March 2023 at the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali/Rwanda. All 211 member countries each have one vote.
Infantino’s re-election all but certain
If the 52-year-old is re-elected, it would be his final term. The statutes do not allow more than twelve years at the top of FIFA. With the continental confederations from South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania already signaling their support for Infantino, his re-election seems certain.
Despite this starting position, the German Football Association (DFB) has not yet decided whether it will support Infantino or go into opposition. “The DFB has not nominated a candidate so far,” the association said. Of course, the top floor of the largest individual sports association in the world also knows that, given the cemented majority, they are on a losing battle in the event of an opposition.
DFB in exchange with other associations
But if other parts of the European Football Union (UEFA) were to express their displeasure with the former UEFA general secretary, that would at least be a sign. “The DFB is in close contact with other European associations in various groups,” the DFB replied when asked what role cooperation with other European countries played with regard to the FIFA elections.
Infantino has long faced criticism due to an ever-growing body of scandal and controversy. Recently, even reputable media have repeatedly reported evidence that Infantino came to power through a conspiracy against Michel Platini, who was actually intended to be Blatter’s successor.
Did Infantino “escape” to Qatar?
In addition, criminal proceedings against Infantino, who now lives partly in Qatar, are still ongoing in Switzerland. According to Blatter (“Infantino is an impossible guy”) there will be “his reasons”: “Doha would rather not extradite him if the Swiss judiciary had something against him.”
None of this matters to Infantino’s supporters. This is primarily for financial and strategic reasons. The small countries depend on the grants from FIFA – which Infantino takes care of. And numerous large associations need those small countries if they want to keep their chances of winning the 2030 World Cup intact. So it’s give and take – as has always been the case with FIFA.