Like Donald Trump, Fifa moves to silence critics as Gianni Infantino follows Vladimir Putin’s playbook
Gianni Infantino clamps down on detractors by removing word ‘corruption’ from governing body’s ethics code – perhaps he learned a few tips at the World Cup
Standing on the stage as the on-pitch presentation unfolded after the World Cup final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow last month, Vladimir Putin reached out to touch the trophy with a giddy grin.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, standing next to the Russian President, was more than happy to facilitate as a gracious gesture.
Infantino had gushed so readily about what great hosts Russia had been, playing right into the Kremlin propaganda machine’s hands as they looked to use the world’s biggest sports tournament to give Russia an image makeover.
“We all fell in love with Russia,” the Italian had said at a round table with Putin. “This is a new image of Russia that we now have.
“Everyone has discovered a beautiful country, a welcoming country, full of people keen to show to the world what sometimes is said is not what happens here.”
While we all know what Fifa gave Russia, it was only this week that we got a glimpse of the other side of the relationship.