The re-elected FIFA President Gianni Infantino feels misunderstood by the media and has no sympathy for the repeated criticism of his administration at the world football association.
“I don’t understand why some of you are so mean,” said the Swiss during a 15-minute monologue at the press conference following the FIFA Congress in Kigali on Thursday: “I work hard. I don’t steal, I don’t profit.”
According to Infantino, FIFA “is not about the money, it’s about football. We obviously need the money to develop football around the world”. That’s why he doesn’t understand “the constant attacks on FIFA and its president”: “You don’t have to like me, you don’t have to love me. You can criticize me, but please stick to the facts”.
Infantino had previously been re-elected unopposed by a large majority until 2027. “The overwhelming majority has the feeling that I’m doing a good job – also in Europe,” emphasized the 52-year-old: “I’ve worked hard all my life to get to where I am now.”