In 2020, FIFA withdrew its complaint for corruption against Qatari Nasser al-Khelaïfi, boss of Paris-Saint-Germain. The following year, Gianni Infantino established his main residence in Doha.
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The French magistrates responsible for investigating the controversial attribution of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar did not deem it useful, on October 13, 2021, to question Gianni Infantino, heard as a witness, on his close relations with the emirate. If he remains subject to tax in Switzerland, according to FIFA, the manager lives mainly in Doha since the fall of 2021, where he rents a house for his family. Or several thousand kilometers from Zurich, where FIFA installed its headquarters in 1932.
This is the first time that FIFA president has resided in the host country of the World Cup more than a year before his outfit. In 2018, Mr. Infantino had arrived in Russia a few days before the tournament opened.
Since the reform of FIFA statutes, in 2016, the president of the body is supposed to have only representative and strategic role, and in no way operational. While the emirate announced the delivery of the eight stadiums planned with almost a year ahead of the calendar, why did Mr. Infantino decided to settle in Doha? And what are his activities there? Who pays for the rental of their house? Do family members work for the Qatar 2022 organizing committee? FIFA does not answer these questions.
Sepp Blatter: “It’s a mistake. It has nothing to do with it”
“The installation of Gianni in Qatar is explained by his personal interest? Her concern to assume the choice of Qatar, to show his support? He positions himself in relation to this World Cup, first FIFA source of income, and he would be mistaken if he did not support it. He is in his role as president, “said Jérôme Valcke, who was FIFA secretary when Sepp Blatter presided over the body.
The latter, who regrets the victory of Qatar in 2010, has another opinion. “Infantino does not have to live in the host country of the World Cup. It is a mistake. It has nothing to do with it. It loses its neutrality and its superb president if there is a problem on And that he must decide, “underlines Mr. Blatter, 86, for whom his successor has become” a welcome ally “of the emirate.
Since his enthronement in 2016, Mr. Infantino has been in a balancingist position, covering the gas emirate despite his proximity to his neighbor and rival, the Saudi Arabia of Mohammed Ben Salman.
FIFA’s decision in 2020, to withdraw its complaint filed four years earlier in Switzerland for “active private corruption” against Qatari Nasser al-Khelaïfi, boss of Paris-Saint-Germain and the BeIN Sports channel , notably surprised the Swiss prosecution. At the time, this amicable agreement, the underside of which remained secret, between Mr. Al -Khelaïfi – continued by the Swiss prosecution in the case of the granting of the rights of the 2026 and 2030s to the BeIN channel – and FIFA had been subject to financial compensation.
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