Controversial and tough: Infantino wants to get re-elected

Only shortly before, the Swiss had followed clear criticism of his Qatari “brothers” with a rigid expression. “FIFA must act as a role model,” demanded the Norwegian association boss Lise Klaveness from the podium in the large hall. The 40-year-old clearly addressed the grievances in Qatar when it comes to human rights issues; such expressions of opinion are very rare in the large FIFA world, which Infantino likes to refer to as a “family”. The 2022 World Cup, whose groups will be drawn this Friday, was awarded in 2010 under “unacceptable circumstances and with unacceptable consequences,” said Klaveness, questioning whether the world association is currently acting as a role model.

Infantino, like organization leader Hassan Al-Thawadi, referred to the great progress in Qatar, which had only been sharply criticized by human rights organizations again this week. “Madam President comes to our country and has not tried to contact us and has not tried to start a dialogue,” Al-Thawadi said in a sharp tone. At the opening of the congress, Infantino addressed government representatives from the emirate several times with the word “brother”, and the FIFA President now lives in Qatar.

The World Cup, which begins in less than eight months, will be “the best World Cup in history, the greatest show in the world,” said Infantino. There were also gifts: The FIFA President handed over a blue jersey with the number 22 to Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani. “This World Cup will be something very special, something incomparable,” he said. “We represent not only our country, but the entire Arab world.”

The world football association FIFA is holding its congress in Doha. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

Infantino addressed the world situation during his second speech. The corona pandemic is almost over. "What's happening now? War,” Infantino said. “War with the fear of a global conflict – with these terrible events in Ukraine. But there are terrible wars and conflicts in other parts of the world too, we must not forget that. Places where helpless people suffer and die.”

There were representatives of the Russian association in the room who did not comment, but no one from Ukraine. The video recorded with the Ukrainian association president Andriy Pavelko in a square where helpers were protecting a monument with sandbags was noted by the delegates without much emotion. Pavelko, wearing a protective vest, spoke of the “horror of war.” Infantino quotes Mandela At the traditional call of all nations, Ukraine was also announced as “present”, and participation was also possible online. Infantino called on politicians from around the world to end “conflicts and wars”. “For our children, for our future. Please enter into dialogue – even with the worst enemy,” said Infantino. He believes in “the power of football to bring people together and overcome cultural boundaries.” The war in Ukraine left him “with a heavy heart,” said the Swiss, referring to his last European Championship as UEFA general secretary in 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

Infantino referred to Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, who said “that sport has the power to change the world.” He himself wants to continue to be part of it. The successor to Joseph Blatter, who was first elected in 2016, said: “Because we are all united here today and they are the member associations of FIFA, I would like to tell you first.” Infantino was re-elected in 2019 and at least did not have his ambitions for the coming year officially confirmed. A FIFA president can serve a maximum of three terms in office.

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Controversial and tough: Infantino wants to get re-elected

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