FIFA Congress in Paraguay delayed because president Gianni Infantino was late
The Athletic reported last week that the meeting of the FIFA Council, scheduled for Tuesday of this week, had been altered to be a virtual meeting because President Infantino had decided to join the U.S. president Donald Trump for a visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week.
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Infantino was present for meetings that took place this week between President Trump with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and the Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
While Infantino was appearing to form part of the U.S. President's extended entourage, representatives from global soccer associations met in Asunción for a week of meetings in Infantino's absence.
This includes Presidents and CEO's or general secretaries of every national federation. Infantino also missed a dinner hosted by the Paraguayan state officials on Wednesday evening, but was due to arrive on Thursday morning in time to address the FIFA Congress.
However, his flight still appeared to be in the air for the original local start time of 9:30 am in Paraguay.
The 55-year-old was flying on a Qatari private jet, which stopped briefly in Nigeria to refuel before travelling on to South America.
The event had already been delayed until 1030am, but member associations and delegates received an email from FIFA citing unexplained 'unforeseen circumstances', therefore delaying the event until 12:30 pm.
A security guard approached The Athletic outside the venue and said they had been briefed that the event had been delayed due to the president's late arrival. The security guard was then asked if they meant the Paraguayan president or the FIFA president, and they said the latter.
FIFA has been approached for comment.
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