The New York Times reveals an alleged exchange of favors between Infantino and Trump

The celebration of the World Cup has put on the table a suspected alliance between FIFA and the United States Government. At the center of this maneuver is the president of the highest world football body, Gianni Infantino, who, according to the prestigious newspaper The New York Times would have orchestrated an unprecedented exchange of favors with donald trump. Among the most striking movements is the alleged rental of offices on the 17th floor of Trump Tower in New York that have been empty for a year and that are generating direct income for the American president’s businesses. Although the disuse of the space is admitted from the football community, an official spokesperson for the entity clarified that said rent is being paid and that the infrastructure will be activated during the tournament.

For defenders of the Swiss leader, this gesture responds to the pragmatism necessary to neutralize an unpredictable leader who could hinder the event. In the words of Majed Al Sahib, Saudi football manager, “He is direct about what needs to be done to manage the relationship.” own Infantino A few months ago, he justified his network of institutional contacts by arguing that “I think it is absolutely crucial for the success of a World Cup to have a close relationship with the president, with the government” and then adding: “I have many friends.”

FIFA’s objectives in the United States are ambitious: to promote soccer in the largest global consumer market and clean up an image damaged by past corruption scandals. After failing in his attempts to align with the Biden administration, Infantino found the doors of the White House open with Trump, who refers to him as “the king of football.”

Likewise, there are suspicions in the sector about a tacit pact to avoid immigration controls in the vicinity of the stadiums, an assertion that the sports organization denies. Last spring, the American president also seemed to align himself with the president’s interests by authorizing visas for the Iranian delegation: “If Gianni said it,” Trump declared, “I agree.”

However, the relationship is not without fissures. Trump recently criticized the high price of World Cup tickets and the Department of Homeland Security ended up denying entry permits to the Iranian coaching staff and a Somali referee, evidencing the limits of verbal commitments.

The complicity between both leaders dates back to the summer of 2018, just after the North American bid was awarded the organization of the World Cup. In that first meeting in the Oval Office, Trump broke the ice by asking: “You’re pretty famous, right? Pretty important and pretty famous.” To which Infantino replied: “Yes, it seems so.” Infantino, for his part, gave personalized gifts to the president and declared: “Now you are part of the FIFA team.” Since then, Infantino’s support has been unconditional, even in Trump’s most delicate political moments.