European football delegates, led by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, staged a dramatic walkout at the 75th FIFA Congress in Luque, Paraguay, on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in protest of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s delayed arrival. The congress, originally scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. local time, was postponed by over three hours to 12:47 p.m. due to Infantino’s late flight from a Middle East trip with U.S. President Donald Trump. The walkout, involving eight UEFA FIFA Council members, including Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt and German Football Federation boss Bernd Neuendorf, underscored growing tensions over Infantino’s priorities.
Infantino, who had joined Trump in Saudi Arabia and Qatar for events with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, blamed technical issues with his Qatari private jet, which required a refueling stop in Nigeria, for the delay. He apologized repeatedly, stating, “I felt I had to be there to represent football,” citing the importance of discussions with world leaders for the 2022 (Qatar) and 2034 (Saudi Arabia) World Cups. However, UEFA issued a scathing statement, calling the delay “deeply regrettable” and accusing Infantino of prioritizing “private political interests” over football’s interests. “The FIFA Congress is one of the most important meetings in world football… to have the timetable changed at the last minute does the game no service,” the statement read, emphasizing that “the game comes first.”
Norwegian FA President Lise Klaveness echoed UEFA’s dismay, describing Infantino’s tardiness as “disappointing and concerning.” She noted that the congress, attended by 210 member associations, is critical for global football governance, and the delay disrespected the Paraguay FA and CONMEBOL’s hospitality. Some CONCACAF delegates also left early, with CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani citing travel constraints. The walkout occurred after a mid-meeting coffee break, with European delegates not returning to their reserved seats, leaving about a quarter of the FIFA Council’s 37 seats empty.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström downplayed the incident, claiming a “great Congress” and noting Infantino had explained his delay. No major decisions were made, though CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez reignited debate over his controversial proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams, arguing, “No one should be left out of this celebration.” The plan, which would increase matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay while maintaining most games in Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, faces opposition from UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF leaders.
Infantino’s Middle East engagements, including a state dinner in Doha, reflect his close ties with Trump and Gulf leaders, heightened by the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and the 2025 Club World Cup. His absence from pre-Congress meetings and rescheduling of a FIFA Council meeting to a virtual session on May 9 to accommodate the trip fueled further criticism. UEFA’s protest, backed by figures like Klaveness, who has challenged FIFA on Qatar’s migrant worker issues, signals escalating frustration with Infantino’s leadership style and perceived political alignments.
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