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Tag: Gianni Infantino

  • Infantino wants red card for players covering their mouths in a bid to end racism

    Infantino wants red card for players covering their mouths in a bid to end racism

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested a significant tightening of football regulations to address racism, asserting that players who cover their mouths during disputes should be dismissed if there is suspicion of racist remarks.

    Infantino’s firm position comes in the wake of the contentious Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica at the Estadio da Luz on February 17, which was paused for 11 minutes after Vinicius Junior was reportedly racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.

    This incident has reignited discussions on how football deals with on-field discrimination and the challenges of proving verbal misconduct.

    In an interview with Sky News, Infantino emphasized his desire for an assumption of guilt in cases where a player seems to intentionally hide their speech.

    “If a player covers his mouth and says something, and it results in a racist outcome, then he must be sent off, obviously,” Mr. Infantino stated.

    “There should be an assumption that he has said something inappropriate; he wouldn’t need to cover his mouth.”

    The FIFA president acknowledged that disciplinary actions require evidence and due process, especially with UEFA currently investigating the incident and having temporarily suspended Prestianni for the second leg, which Benfica lost. However, he emphasized that football must move beyond reactive responses to prevent abuse.

    “There are situations we did not anticipate,” he remarked. “Of course, when handling a disciplinary case, you must analyze the situation and have evidence, but we cannot be content with just that moving forward.”

    Gianni Infantino is advocating for a RED CARD approach to incidents where individuals cover their mouths, as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat racism. He mentioned that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) might swiftly update the Laws of the Game by April, enabling the implementation of new rules before the World Cup in June.

    In what could mark a notable policy change, Infantino expressed openness to reconsidering the existing minimum 10-game suspension for discriminatory behavior.

     

  • Lekjaa: A quiet revolution in World Football under Infantino era

    Lekjaa: A quiet revolution in World Football under Infantino era

    World football is experiencing a quiet revolution under the era of Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, said Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

    “In general, we are witnessing a quiet revolution in world football, a transformation of FIFA,” Mr. Lekjaa stated in a video message shared on the Moroccan national team’s social media platforms, marking the tenth anniversary of Mr. Infantino’s presidency of the international football governing body.

    “Speaking about the record of Mr. Gianni Infantino (elected on February 26, 2016), it is clear that what he has achieved is tremendous  it represents a comprehensive transformation of FIFA,” he stressed.

    He cited “the complete overhaul of FIFA’s governance, particularly in terms of financial transparency and restructuring, which multiplied FIFA’s revenues and resources, subsequently allowing development efforts across all continents to double and even triple.”

    In the same context, he referred to “the review and reform of competitions, starting with the men’s World Cup by increasing the number of participating teams, and extending to all competitions across all age categories, in both men’s and women’s football.”

    “Overall, Mr. Gianni Infantino has achieved qualitative leaps within FIFA in line with a vision of globalizing football.

    This enabled the African continent and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to have the honor, alongside Spain and Portugal, of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup  for the second time on African soil  under a model bringing together three countries and two continents celebrating the centenary of the tournament,” he added.

    Moreover, he noted that “he enabled the FRMF to host FIFA’s African headquarters here in Rabat, which is highly significant,” adding that this initiative “provides opportunities for development, training, and capacity building.”

    “Like all African and global federations, we have benefited from these development-dedicated resources, which have accelerated football development programs, whether in terms of infrastructure or technical supervision,” the FRMF President concluded.

  • Fatma Samoura: Fifa secretary general to step down from role after seven years

    Fatma Samoura: Fifa secretary general to step down from role after seven years

    Fatma Samoura is to step down after seven years as Fifa’s secretary general to spend more time with her family.

    Appointed in 2016, the 60-year-old will oversee this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand before leaving at the end of the year.

    Samoura, the first female and non-European in the role, was a surprise choice after the election of Gianni Infantino as Fifa president.

    “It was the best decision of my life to join Fifa,” she said.

    Former Senegalese diplomat and United Nations official Samoura added: “I am very proud to have led such a diverse team.

    “Fifa today is a better governed, more open, more reliable and more transparent organisation. I will leave Fifa with a high sense of pride and fulfilment.

    “For now, I am fully focused on the preparation and delivery of the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

    “From next year, I would like to spend more time with my family. I have been in love with football since I was eight years old and I feel honoured to have been on this journey.”

    Fifa president Infantino paid tribute to Samoura and said he respected her decision to depart.

    It has been a privilege and an honour to work with a trailblazer in the game,” he added. “Ever since we met, I knew she would be superb for Fifa.

    “Her passion and enthusiasm to drive change has been inspirational. Fatma will continue to contribute towards the development of the game and its social values together with us.”

    During Samoura’s time as head of Fifa’s administration, women’s football has become more popular and more organised.

    The 2023 Women’s World Cup will be the biggest-ever women’s competition and features 32 teams.