Gianni Infantino hit with UEFA backlash for FIFA Congress delay following Donald Trump meeting

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has faced criticism from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) after an almost two-hour delay to the 75th FIFA Congress in Paraguay due to his meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, officials say. The embarrassment has rekindled controversy between FIFA and UEFA as several European representatives complained about what they perceive as Gianni Infantino's continued disrespect for football governance at the expense of his political forays. The consequences of the postponed FIFA Congress have increased the already-strained relationship between UEFA and Gianni Infantino. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin led a protest walkout following the postponement of the congress by Infantino's late arrival from the Middle East, where Gianni Infantino was reported to be travelling with Donald Trump. The delay disrupted the tightly choreographed event and was met with outright condemnation from UEFA's leadership, The Athletic reports.In a refreshingly blunt remark, UEFA denounced the 'last-minute timetable alterations' as not only inconvenient but 'deeply regrettable'. The body also accused Gianni Infantino of prioritizing 'private political interests' over his responsibilities to international football. This response is at a very sensitive moment, with FIFA currently in talks regarding hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, a process during which Saudi Arabia remains a favoriteWhile Infantino's justification was that flight problems were the culprit, UEFA representatives remained skeptical, particularly considering the visuals of his relationship with Donald Trump during a time of major policy-making in world soccer. UEFA and FIFA have had a growingly awkward relationship in recent years, with disagreements over formats of tournaments, models of revenue, and expansion plans globally. Infantino's close interaction with political leaders, particularly during key decision times, is still a serious point of conflict.Also read: European football leaders stage walkout after Gianni Infantino delays FIFA CongressAs football politics become more and more involved with international politics, Gianni Infantino's behavior is again being scrutinized by the game's major players. UEFA's strong pushback indicates that European football will not take the decisions quietly that are thought to be driven by private friendships or political interests. With the bidding process for the 2034 World Cup having started, FIFA's leadership has to now walk carefully to maintain credibility and harmony across the game.