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On February 26, 2016, Gianni Infantino (52) succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president. At the congress in Kigali on Thursday, the Walliser will be confirmed for another four-year term. Blick gives Infantino a certificate:
finance
Sales from 2019 to 2022 increased by more than a billion to $7.568 billion compared to the previous cycle – despite the corona pandemic. In the World Cup year alone, sales amounted to 5.769 billion. Almost 90 percent of the money is reinvested in football, the SFV receives eight million francs, two more than in the previous four-year cycle. In general, the income of the associations under Infantino has increased sevenfold. From 2023 to 2026, FIFA expects a total of 11 billion.
Blick review: The cash register is ringing. grade: 6
reforms
The announced reforms have only been partially implemented. After all: FIFA employees also confirm that thanks to Infantino, the association has regained steam. The World Cup is no longer awarded by an executive committee, but by the full Congress. The development of women’s football and globalization are promoted. A human rights policy has also been introduced, but there are problems with its implementation. Nevertheless, progress was also made in this area in Qatar during the World Cup.
Blick assessment: The reform backlog has been partially cleared. But there’s more. Grade: 4.5.
transparency
Financial transparency has been increased, so Infantino’s salary for 2022 is reported at CHF 3.6 million. But many member associations do not always know exactly what the FIFA leadership is planning. It is still unclear today which consortium was behind the 25 billion bid for the “Project Trophy” in 2018. Infantino’s plan was rejected by the FIFA Council because FIFA would have had to cede several rights to its competitions.
Review Blick: Fifa needs to become even more transparent. Grade: 3.5.
leadership style
Infantino is a powerhouse. Although according to the statutes FIFA should be run operationally by Secretary General Fatma Samoura, he is the strong man. Critical voices said goodbye to Fifa early in the Infantino era. Domenico Scala, the driving force behind the reform agenda, resigned in frustration. Ethics supervisors Hans-Joachim Eckert and Cornel Borbely were no longer nominated and the former chairman of the Governance Committee, Miguel Maduro, was fired.
Blick review: There is talk of a “Fifa monarchy” under Infantino. Note 3.
matches
The World Cup has expanded from 32 to 48 teams, meaning 40 more games in 2026 in the US, Canada and Mexico. The idea of holding the World Cup every two years and a worldwide Nations League failed due to resistance from Europe and South America. At the 2022 Congress, Infantino backtracked claiming that FIFA did not want this proposal from Saudi Arabia, but was merely conducting a feasibility study. The Club World Cup, which will be expanded to 32 teams from 2025, is also an attack on other competitions and puts even more pressure on the overcrowded competition calendar.
Blick review: FIFA doesn’t need new and bloated leagues. Note 3.
Public performances
“Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel handicapped. Today I feel like a guest worker.” Infantino’s opening speech for the World Cup should become a document of contemporary history – in a negative sense. His performance at the G20 summit in Bali was almost cynical when he called for a ceasefire -fires in the war between Russia and Ukraine for the duration of the World Cup Infantino seeks closeness to the powerful and likes to be seen next to the stars, but he also cares about legends, which is a good thing.
Blick Rating: His performances are a nuisance. Grade: 2.5.
image
Infantino failed to portray Fifa in a better light – on the contrary. He himself is – for various reasons – a lot of criticism. A criminal case is still pending against him on suspicion of violation of official secrecy, abuse of office and favoring and inciting this. It also involves multiple unrecorded meetings with former federal prosecutor Michael Lauber.
Blick Rating: FIFA and its president still have a bad reputation, especially in Europe. Grade: 2.
Overall grade: 3.5.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
