FIFA President Gianni Infantino has addressed criticism of his leadership and organisation in a 15-slide Instagram carousel and an open letter.
Infantino said “those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours,” had “missed our beautiful game” at the World Cup.
Why?
Let’s dive in.
Infantino
Infantino was first elected FIFA President in 2016, and re-elected in 2019 and 2023 without opposition.
He plans to run again in 2027.
Trained as a lawyer, Infantino built his career in football administration, taking over FIFA after former president Sepp Blatter left amid corruption allegations.
According to FIFA, Infantino has sought to make the organisation “credible, trustworthy, modern, professional and accountable”.
He also has a well-documented friendship with U.S. President Donald Trump, who referenced him in a speech ahead of his 2025 inauguration, and hosted him at Mar-a-Lago and the Oval Office.
Last year, FIFA launched a Peace Prize.
Infantino presented the inaugural award to Trump.
Letter
Infantino posted a statement to both his account and FIFA’s, and an open letter on the FIFA website, responding to claims about the management of red cards and visas at the World Cup.
Red cards
During the World Cup, Trump intervened with FIFA to have U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension successfully overturned.
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It was the first instance at a World Cup where a player avoided a one-match suspension after a red card since 1962.
On red cards, Infantino said:
“‘Arguable’ referees’ decisions or ‘strange’ disciplinary rulings such as for instance potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide.”
Visas
Players from Iran (at war with the U.S.) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (ebola outbreak) were granted visas to play at the World Cup.
However, Somalian referee Omar Artan was turned away at U.S. entry over “vetting concerns”.
Somalia is on Trump’s travel ban list and FIFA said host nations control entry.
Artan was set to become his country’s first World Cup referee.
Meanwhile, the U.S. granted visas to Iranian players, but denied some to staff, and the team faced travel restrictions.
Captain Mehdi Taremi called it “a disaster World Cup.”
On visas, Infantino said:
“Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas… you mentioned the few people denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all parts of the world.”
Complaint
Infantino’s post follows a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from human rights nonprofit FairSquare, alleging he breached the charter’s political neutrality rules “through statements or other clear expressions of support for the U.S. president.”
The IOC said it would not investigate him because the complaint is outside its jurisdiction.
