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Before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the president of Fifa Gianni Infantino seemed to establish a link on Wednesday January 26 between his project for a World Cup every two years and the tragedy of migrants in the Mediterranean to which it is necessary ” give hope “, triggering a controversy that he tried to put out by evoking remarks” misinterpreted ».
« I understand that in Europe the World Cup takes place twice a week, because the best players play in Europe “, but it is worth thinking” to the rest of the world (…) who does not see the best players, who does not participate in high-level competitions “, explained Infantino before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg.
« How low can Infantino go? »
« We have to include them, we have to find ways to include the whole world, to give hope to Africans so that they don’t need to cross the Mediterranean to find maybe a better life, but more likely death in the sea. We have to give opportunities, and we have to give dignity, not by doing charity, but by allowing the rest of the world to participate “said the Italian-Swiss leader. Words that have not gone unnoticed, and which have been widely commented on on social networks. ” How low can Infantino go? Instrumentalising death in the Mediterranean to sell his megalomaniac project, leaves you speechless “, reacted Ronan Evain, director-general of the Football Supporters Europe collective.
« My colleagues at Human Rights Watch interview refugees around the world almost every day. We write reports on the reasons (…) that force them to leave their homes. They never mention the World Cup schedule “, quipped Andrew Stroehlein, in charge of the media in this non-governmental organization.
Gianni Infantino, through the Fifa Twitter account, wished to return to the meaning of his remarks, considering that certain remarks that (he) made before the Council of Europe earlier in the day had been ” misinterpreted ” and ” taken out of context “. Gianni Infantino explained that his more general message was that “ everyone in a decision-making position has a responsibility to contribute to improving the situation of people in the world. “And to add:” if there are more opportunities available, including in Africa, but certainly not only on this continent, it should enable people to pursue these opportunities in their own countries. This was a general comment, not directly related to the possibility of playing a Fifa World Cup every other year.s ».
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe denounces the “ thousands of workplace accidents » Observed in Qatar
Defended by Gianni Infantino, the hypothesis of a biennial competition, and no longer quadrennial, is fought by a front ranging from European and South American federations to the big clubs. But it enjoys the unanimous support of the 54 African federations.
In Strasbourg, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) demanded on Wednesday 26 January that respect for certain ” fundamental standards “become a” prerequisite » to the designation of host countries for international football competitions, denouncing the « thousands of workplace accidents » seen in Qatar in preparation for the 2022 World Cup.
In January, the Swiss newspaper view had revealed that the boss of world football had settled in Doha, where the Italian-Swiss rents a house and two of his four daughters go to school, while the headquarters of Fifa have been established in Zurich, Switzerland, since 1932 He is living temporarily in Doha ahead of the World Cup in Qatar (November 21-December 18), Fifa confirmed in a statement. ” For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Infantino is domiciled and remains subject to tax in Switzerland “, said Fifa.
« The place of the president of Fifa is where the headquarters is and it is in Zurich. I can’t say it’s outrageous. But I can say that it is incomprehensible that he is going to settle there with his family. It gives a bitter taste “Reacted the former leader of Fifa Sepp Blatter (1998-2015), 85 years old.