By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – Gianni Infantino hit back strongly today at suggestions that he might have been complicit in helping orchestrate the aborted European Super League.
Spanish league chief Javier Tebas has gone public in denouncing the FIFA president’s alleged role in helping behind the scenes to create the doomed breakaway league in order to enhance the expanded Club World Cup, Infantino’s pet project.
Infantino has been accused of not condemning the project as forcefully as other leading figures across the sport, leading to speculation that Tebas may have a point.
But in a seven-minute defence of his position, Infantino told a post-FIFA Congress press conference his conscience was entirely clear.
“People need to look the facts, not rumours or corridor gossip coming from certain parts,” said a clearly irritated Infantino.
“I have spoken with clubs for many years and the Super League topic has always been a discussion, even when I was at UEFA. Let’s not play games. I am aware some people prefer to spin these discussions in a different way.”
“At FIFA it’s my responsibility to meet with all our stakeholders. Speaking to clubs doesn’t mean FIFA was in any way whatsoever colluding or plotting for any Super League.”
Infantino reserved judgement over the idea of a World Cup every two years being evaluated, as proposed by Saudi Arabia at today’s virtual Fifa Congress. “We need to consider first from a sporting of view whether this makes sense,” he said.
He also reacted publicly for the first time to SwissSpecial Prosecutor Stefan Keller, the man who was investigating Infantino’s infamous secret meetings with the former Swiss attorney general, being ordered to step down.
Keller was kicked out by the Swiss federal criminal court which ruled that his public comments about the case had reflected bias against Infantino. But in a furious denunciation of the decision, Keller hinted at counter-bias saying he was “unable to continue his investigation due to the personal composition” of the court.
Infantino, who now looks likely to emerge unscathed from the probe, re-iterated that he had nothing to hide.
“The decision speaks for itself. Of course I welcome it because we were convinced that it would have to be the outcome. It’s a clear-cut decision. Looking forward I hope the issue is now put to rest and that each and everyone knows nothing happened.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714142308labto1714142308ofdlr1714142308owedi1714142308sni@w1714142308ahsra1714142308w.wer1714142308dna1714142308