Lead

FIFA president Gianni Infantino received support from several leading South American football figures on Friday as he visited Colombia, a show of backing that comes amid the crisis enveloping world football's governing body. Infantino arrived in the Colombian city of Cali to attend the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella, and photos released by the Colombian Football Federation show him alongside South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) president Alejandro Domínguez and the president of the Colombian federation, Ramón Jesurún.

The visit comes as Infantino has faced multiple calls to resign following his highly controversial attempt to sell private stakes in the World Cup, a plan he later abandoned, as reported by the BBC. The Buenos Aires Times also reported on the visit and the abandoned plan, noting that the head of world football has been embroiled in a storm over the much-criticised proposal.

Coverage Comparison

The BBC's coverage emphasised Infantino's controversial attempt to sell private stakes in the World Cup and the resulting calls for his resignation, with a critical tone. The Buenos Aires Times, meanwhile, framed the story around Infantino receiving support from South American football figures, using terms such as "crisis" and "storm" to describe the situation.

Both outlets reported that Infantino attended the inauguration of Abelardo de la Espriella, described by the Buenos Aires Times as a "hard-right" president, and that the plan to open the World Cup to private investment was abandoned. The Buenos Aires Times additionally reported that CONMEBOL expressed concern over FIFA's unilateral actions and that Infantino will seek a fourth term in the presidential election, details not present in the BBC's account.

Key Claims

  • Gianni Infantino visited Colombia, attending the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella, as reported by both the BBC and the Buenos Aires Times.
  • Infantino received support from South American football figures during his visit, including CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez and Colombian federation president Ramón Jesurún, according to the Buenos Aires Times, which cited photos released by the Colombian Football Federation.
  • FIFA's plan to open the World Cup to private investment was abandoned, a fact reported by both outlets. The BBC described the plan as "highly controversial," while the Buenos Aires Times referred to it as "much-criticised."
  • Infantino faced calls to resign, a claim carried by the BBC, which noted he did not answer questions from the network's journalists.
  • CONMEBOL expressed concern regarding FIFA's repeated unilateral actions, as reported by the Buenos Aires Times, which also mentioned that European body UEFA maintained its threat to boycott the World Cup despite the withdrawal of the proposal.
  • Infantino will seek a fourth and final term in the presidential election in Rabat next March, according to the Buenos Aires Times.

Perspectives

FIFA President Gianni Infantino

Infantino did not directly respond to questions about the crisis or the calls for his resignation. At a children's football festival in Cali, he spoke of his "happiness" at the event, saying "Football is joy, football is happiness, football is unity." He declined to answer a question about whether he considered FIFA's woes to be over, as reported by the Buenos Aires Times.

South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL)

CONMEBOL, which has only 10 FIFA-affiliated members but includes iconic federations such as Argentina and Brazil, expressed its "concern regarding the repeated unilateral actions taken" by FIFA, according to the Buenos Aires Times. However, its president Alejandro Domínguez appeared alongside Infantino in photos released by the Colombian Football Federation, suggesting a nuanced stance.

European Football Body UEFA

UEFA, the European governing body, on Thursday maintained its threat to boycott the World Cup despite FIFA's withdrawal of the private investment proposal, as reported by the Buenos Aires Times. This indicates continued opposition from European football authorities.