FIFA chief Gianni Infantino pens explosive book and takes aim at Sepp Blatter
Gianni Infantino has done a book on his first ten years in charge of FIFA - and it includes a remarkable blast at Sepp Blatter.
Infantino’s book details how FIFA now tries to direct all funds to football development and how women’s football has grown in the last ten years. The book says it covers the journey from “corruption to transparency” and details an explosive exchange between Infantino and disgraced ex-FIFa president Blatter.
It reveals how £470m was spent on the FIFA Museum with £132m being spent on refurbishing a building which did not even belong to FIFA.
The book reveals - with one witness vividly recalling the story - how Infantino shouted: “How many football pitches could we have built with that amount? How many?”
FIFA president Infantino’s book - which is on sale for £25 - will see all proceeds from sales go to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The book - Forward – The Revolution of Football: The First 10 Years of Gianni Infantino at FIFA - is written with Italian journalist Alessabdro Alciato and does not shy away from the controversies and corruption that Infantino inherited when he took over. The book is published by FIFA.
Blatter was ousted in 2015 amid claims of corruption and is still banned from FIFA activities until 2027.
Despite Infantino facing a backlash over ticket pricing and this summer’s World Cup, FIFA insist they are a not-for-profit organisation with money going back into the game. That is why Infantino was so upset at Blatter’s indulgence and huge spending.
Infantino said: “These are not personal successes, but successes we have accomplished together. Thank you to the confederations and their presidents: the AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, the OFC and UEFA.
“Thank you to the 211 FIFA Member Associations and their leaders, who embody the heart and soul of FIFA. Thank you to the leagues, clubs and players – women and men – for their invaluable contributions.
“Thank you to the FIFA Legends for making us fall in love with this magnificent sport. Thanks to their passion, our hearts are always racing.
“Thank you to all our partners, from sponsors to broadcasters, for continuing to believe in us. When I arrived 10 years ago, nobody was willing to invest.
“Thank you to the fans all over the world who belong to the community that I am honoured to be part of. You are the driving force behind all of our initiatives.
“Thank you to the people who truly make a difference by sharing their ideas. Thank you to my colleagues, whether you were there from the start or joined the journey along the way. Each and every one of you has been indispensable: we are all vital cogs in one big football machine.”
