“North Korea is the same as South Korea”
FIFA boss Infantino loves all countries equally
December 16, 2023, 8:59 p.m
Gianni Infantino never tires of presenting his view of the world. In an interview, the association boss declares his love for all 211 FIFA member countries, accuses the West of “double standards” and claims to be the savior of human rights.
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has defended the controversial World Cup candidate Saudi Arabia and apparently makes no distinctions among the member countries of the world football association. Each of the 211 FIFA member countries has the right to apply. “For me as FIFA President, North Korea is the same as South Korea. America is the same as China,” Infantino told the “Tagesanzeiger” from Switzerland.
Saudi Arabia is the only bidder for the 2034 World Cup, after only candidates from Asia and Oceania were admitted due to the allocation for 2026 and 2030. “A venue must meet all of our criteria, including human rights. The process doesn’t end with the candidacy. It only begins then,” said Infantino.
Infantino: “I address grievances”
At the same time, the FIFA boss complains about “double standards in the West”. “All Western heads of state court the country. They make deals worth billions.” The Swiss believes that football can bring about change in the country. He is also in contact with the Saudi crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed Bin Salman: “I address grievances and also offer help. People discuss and look for solutions together. When I became FIFA President, there was none in Saudi Arabia Women’s football. Now there is a women’s league and a national team.”
Regarding the commercialization of football, Infantino emphasized: “FIFA’s income does not stay with FIFA. We reinvest all our income around the world – by the way, this is all publicly visible today. (…) Without this money it would be in 100 There are no organized football operations in up to 150 countries, no youth or women’s football.”
Infantino is of the opinion that the world association collects relatively modest income: “The best leagues in the world, on the other hand, generate four or five times more income than FIFA. Who does this money go to? To the clubs in their own country. That is normal and also It’s nice for the fans there, but it’s not really great for the rest of the world.”