In the aftermath of a diplomatic stir caused by FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s delayed arrival at the 75th FIFA Congress in Paraguay, UEFA has moved swiftly to smooth tensions and reinforce its commitment to cooperation with world football’s governing body.
The incident – which saw Mr Infantino arrive late to a key global summit after accompanying former U.S. President Donald Trump on a Gulf tour prompted criticism from UEFA, who initially voiced discontent over “private political interests” seemingly taking precedence over the global football agenda.
Infantino missed several scheduled events, including an official dinner, causing a two-hour delay to the Congress proceedings and drawing a rare public rebuke from UEFA.
However, in a gesture of diplomacy and unity, UEFA has now issued a conciliatory statement emphasizing its strong institutional and personal ties with FIFA.
“We value the strong and respectful relationship with FIFA, built on mutual trust and a shared passion for football,” UEFA stated.
“The personal relationship between our two presidents is also very good, marked by open communication and mutual respect. The recent episode was isolated and does not reflect our ongoing collaboration.”
This marks a significant de-escalation, reinforcing UEFA’s long-term commitment to working together in the best interest of the sport.
While the initial reaction highlighted frustration over disrupted logistics and perceived sidelining of football matters, UEFA’s latest statement signals a broader perspective – one that appreciates ongoing collaboration and understands the complexities of high-level diplomacy within football’s global growth strategy.
Infantino, for his part, apologized to the Congress and offered context, stating his presence in the Middle East was to advance crucial football discussions, particularly regarding investment in the women’s game and preparations for the upcoming World Cups in 2026 and 2034.
“I felt like I had to be there to represent all of you to represent football,” he explained to delegates in Asuncion.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom also emphasized post-congress that the relationship with UEFA remains “excellent,” further cementing the intent to move past this episode in favour of mutual goals.
While differences in approach may surface occasionally in the high-stakes world of international sports governance, UEFA’s reconciliatory tone shows maturity and dedication to unity – reminding all stakeholders that, above all, the game comes first.
