UEFA denounces Infantino’s tardy arrival
UEFA has criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino following his late arrival at the FIFA Congress in Asuncion, which caused a delay of over two hours. Infantino's flight from a trip in the Middle East, where he accompanied U.S. President Donald Trump, landed late, resulting in the Congress starting at 12:47 local time instead of the scheduled time. Some UEFA delegates chose not to return after the break in protest.
In a statement, UEFA expressed regret over the last-minute changes to the Congress schedule, emphasizing the importance of the meeting, which gathers representatives from all 211 nations to discuss critical issues in world football. UEFA thanked the Paraguay Football Association and CONMEBOL for their hospitality but criticized Infantino for prioritizing personal political interests over the sport. They asserted that the game should come first and that the FIFA Council members felt compelled to make a statement by leaving as originally planned.
Delegates from CONCACAF also departed early, with CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani noting that travel concerns likely influenced their decision. Meanwhile, the Norwegian delegation left in solidarity with the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), which has been advocating for Israel's suspension from FIFA due to alleged violations of international law and discrimination against Arab players. Norwegian Football Federation President Lise Klaveness stated that they chose to leave the Congress as a sign of respect, while their Secretary General remained to support the PFA's case.
The PFA has accused the Israel Football Association of complicity in these violations and has called for action from FIFA. Although FIFA announced last October that it would investigate the allegations, no updates have been provided, and the Israel Football Association has denied the accusations. The situation highlights ongoing tensions within the football community regarding political issues and the governance of the sport.
