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Tag: Infantino

  • 2022 World Cup should be expanded if possible – Infantino

    FIFA should if possible increase the size of the football World Cup in Qatar in 2022 to 48 from 32 teams, the global governing body’s president Gianni Infantino has said.

    Last month, Infantino said a majority of national football federations were in favour of expanding the tournament and a decision was expected ahead of the qualifying draw in March.

    Infantino, speaking at a sports conference on Wednesday, also said FIFA was seeing whether it would be possible for some of Qatar’s Gulf neighbours to host some of the matches.

    He said last month that it would be “difficult” to stage an expanded tournament in Qatar alone.

    Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt launched a diplomatic and trade boycott of Qatar in June 2017 which has complicated the prospect of sharing the tournament.

    The countries accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism.

    However, the tiny but wealthy Arab nation has since denied this.

    FIFA voted in 2017 to increase the size of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams, starting from 2026.

    But, since then, Infantino has been mulling the possibility of bringing the change forward to 2022.

    “If you think it’s a good thing to have 48 teams in the World Cup, why not try four years before. That’s why we are analyzing whether it’s possible to have 48 teams already in 2022,” Infantino said.

    “The World Cup will take place in Qatar with 32 teams. Obviously, if we can increase it to 48 teams and make the world happy, we should try it.”

    Qatar said it would not take a final decision on the tournament expansion until it has seen details of a feasibility study from FIFA.

    The study is expected to discuss aspects of scheduling, the number of required venues, training sites, and how many games per day would be played under an expanded format.

    Qatar has moved ahead with ambitious plan to scale up infrastructure ahead of the 2022 tournament that includes $6 billion to $8 billion on eight stadiums and sporting facilities.

    “If we can accommodate some of the neighboring countries in the gulf region, which are very close by, to host a few games in the World Cup this could be very beneficial for the region and the entire world,” Infantino added.

    “There is tension in this particular region and it’s up to their respective leaders to deal with that. But maybe it’s easier to talk about a joint football project than more complicated things.

    “If it can help all the people in the Gulf and all the countries in the world develop football and bring a positive message to the world about football, then you should give it a try.”

  • FIFA only recognises Pinnick as NFF president – Infantino

    FIFA only recognises Pinnick as NFF president – Infantino

    FIFA President, Gianni Infantino says the world football ruling body recognises only Amaju Pinnick as president of Nigeria Football Federation, and will not accept any outside interference in NFF’s affairs.

    Infantino, while responding to questions at a press conference in Moscow on Friday, said Pinnick was duly elected and in accordance with FIFA rules.

    “The situation is very clear. Pinnick was duly elected some years ago, and FIFA is aware of all this.

    “It is also clear to all within the family that there can be no interference in the running of the national federations by any party, especially those outside the football family.

    “So, Pinnick is the President of NFF for FIFA, because he is the one elected,’’ he said.

    The FIFA president added that Nigeria as a member-association of FIFA, would then be at the risk of facing the world body’s sanctions if the situation continued as it is now.

    The NFF has Chris Giwa as its president currently, owing to a compliance with a court order.

    Giwa had obtained a Jos court order to take over the running of affairs at the NFF in compliance with a Supreme Court order.

    The apex court had directed all parties involved in the matter to return to the lower courts for another look at the case against NFF’s Sept. 30, 2014 elections in Warri.

    Giwa had insisted that his earlier election on July 24, 2014 in Abuja should stand, while Pinnick’s election in Warri took place contrary to laid-down regulations.

  • FIFA President, Infantino visits Ambode [PHOTOS]

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday received the President of the Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, Gianni Infantino at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

    The FIFA president was in Lagos for the FIFA executive summit.

    Ambode urged FIFA to consider Lagos as preferred location for football project, saying that the establishment of the project in Lagos would further boost football development in the continent.

    He said Lagos had the potentials to host the project, saying that Nigeria is very strong in youth soccer, and that to further boost it, the global football association should site it project in Lagos.

    “As you decide the location for the next FIFA projects, Lagos stands to welcome all your projects. We have the population, enthusiastic and tourism potentials to receive any of your project.

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    Speaking, Infantino disclosed that the summit would afford the body the opportunity to discuss and decide new strategies to improve the game especially youth football.

    “We are here to discuss with CAF and NFF few projects that will help improve standard of football in the country. Also at the summit, we will be discussing strategies on how to improve the standard of youth and female football development. I know that Nigeria is a major force in the Africa,” he said.

     

  • FIFA President Infantino congratulates Pinnick

    FIFA President Infantino congratulates Pinnick

    President of world football –ruling body, FIFA, Mr. Gianni Infantino has congratulated NFF President Amaju Pinnick on his birthday, as the latter added another year on Friday, 1st December.

    In his short letter dated ‘Happy Birthday,’ the world’s number football administrator wrote: “On this very special day, let me extend my sincerest wishes to you for lots of luck, happiness, good health and success.

    “I sincerely hope that you will find time to spend a wonderful day with your family and your friends. Many happy returns of the day and kind personal regards.”

    Incidentally, both Infantino and Pinnick are in Moscow, Russia for Friday’s Final Draw for the 21st FIFA World Cup finals.

    Also, Super Eagles’ defender Abdullahi Shehu, on his twitter handle, gave big kudos to Pinnick for Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    “I’m using this opportunity to appreciate your good work and the Federation’s support. We made it successfully to Russia because of the perfect logistics put in place by your board. Wishing you the best in life. Great leader!”

    It has, indeed, been a magnificent past year for the NFF boss, during which he was appointed Member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions, won election as Member of the CAF Executive Committee, was made President of AFCON and was appointed Member of the CAF Emergency Committee.

    On the field, the Super Eagles made light work of a difficult group in the African series to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a match to spare and; the Super Eagles B also qualified for the 5th African Nations Championship.

    On the corporate front, an aggressive marketing drive has continued to bear fruits with several corporate bodies teaming up with the Federation and several others lining up to associate with Nigerian Football.

    Legacy projects are also afoot with the NFF in the process of building Mini-Secretariats for Football Associations in the various States and football fields in all local councils in the Federation.

     

  • Infantino is disrespectful – Blatter

    Infantino is disrespectful – Blatter

    Former FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, has slated his successor, Gianni Infantino of showing him lack of respect.

    The 80-year-old Blatter on Monday lost his appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS, over a six year ban from football for a two million Swiss franc ($2 million/1.8 million euro) payment he made to then UEFA boss, Michel Platini.

    He expresses his displeasure with Infantino, saying he has not respected him as someone who was in that post before him.

    Blatter told the BBC, “I am definitely not a happy man (with) what happened with FIFA.

    “I have never seen in any company that the new president… was not paying respect to the old president.
    “After his election we had a very good contact and he stopped at my house and we had a chat. I told him I have a list of questions that should be solved in FIFA which has not been solved before.

    “(Infantino) said ‘I will work on that’ and he never came back.”

    Blatter expressed disappointed that Infantino, who was UEFA secretary-general under Platini, had not returned his phone calls since that meeting.

    “I have asked him, I have sent him a letter and I have his personal number and I was told that it’s still correct. Never never an answer – never,” said Blatter.

    The Swiss served as FIFA president for 18 years but was a subject to withering criticism during his tenure.