The European Football Association accused Gianni Infantino of giving priority “special political interests” after the FIFA president occupied a late World Conference on Governance in Paraguay.
Infantino works on a diplomatic tour in the Middle East alongside US President Donald Trump and reached two hours and 17 minutes after starting at 10:30 (14:30 GMT) for FIFA event.
Infantino said that his journey before Congress was decisive and allowed him to “represent football” in “important discussions” with “world leaders in politics and economics.”
In protest against the delay in the arrival of a 55-year-old Italian, UEFA Alcander Severn led a group of European delegates, which was joined by Deby Hewitt, president of the Football Association, in organizing the exit during a break in this event.
This meant that there were clearly empty seats at the Conmebol Convention Center in Luque, on the outskirts of the capital of Paraguayan of Asuncion, when the meeting resumed.
UEFA said in a statement that “the last minute changes” at the time were “very secure”, but a “point” had to be made.
The European Football Authority said: “The FIFA conference is one of the most important meetings in world football, as all 211 countries gather in the world game to discuss issues that affect sport all over the world.”
“To change the schedule at the last minute of what appears to be simply to accommodate private political interests, the game does not work on any service and it seems that it places its interests in second place.
“We are all in a post to serve football, from the streets to the platform, and the UEFA members in the FIFA council felt the need on this occasion to clarify that the game comes first and leaving as it is already specified.”
“The annual Congress is the most important body to ensure the good referee of international football,” added the President of the Norwegian Federation Liz Clavini.
“The situation is related. Members from all over the world have traveled to participate in this conference here in Paraguay, expecting professional leadership and dialogue at the highest level.”
A number of Concacaf delegates also decided to leave Congress early.
The Secretary -General of the FIFA Matthias Garvrom tried to defuse the tensions and said: “FIFA has an excellent relationship with UEFA and also with European members.
“The president explained the reasons for his delay. He had important issues to deal with it, and we had a great conference here.”
