INFANTINO SLAMS ‘FAKE NEWS’

Fifa supremo defends record as Skouris takes over as head of ethics committee

MANAMA “Fake news, alternative facts, these terms did not exist until some time ago, they have become en vogue.

“There’s a lot of fake news and alternative facts about Fifa circulating — Fifa-bashing has become a national sport, especially in some countries.”

Asked afterwards to give an example of fake news, Infantino responded: “Generally, it’s my feeling.”

But, alternating between English, French, German and Spanish, Infantino said his organisation was now different.

“Nunca mas — never again,” Infantino added in reference to corruption once more rearing its ugly head.

Infantino, whose critics maintain he has not shown a real commitment to reform, also told those who wanted to enrich themselves through football to leave Fifa.

“If there is anyone in this room or outside of this room who still thinks he can enrich himself, he can abuse football, I have one clear and strong message to tell him: leave, leave football and leave football now,” added Infantino.

Getting into his stride, he also reaffirmed his belief that Fifa’s finances were healthy, saying: “We don’t have to bullshit with alternative figures.”

Infantino also criticised “highly-paid experts” who did little to help reform.

“In the past, many highly-paid experts paid millions have been hired by Fifa to help reform Fifa, but what did they do? They simply rubber-stamped a wrong system.”

The decision to replace Eckert and Borbely caught the headlines earlier in the week, but there was no controversy inside the Congress hall where delegates backed the proposal with 97 per cent of the votes.

The investigators claimed their removal, at the end of their fouryear term, would put back Fifa reform as hundreds of cases were still outstanding.

Infantino, though, said the row was “a storm in a teacup” and questioned why they had left so many cases remaining.

However, he failed to convince everyone.

Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein said afterwards that things hadn’t moved on from Infantino’s predecessor, Sepp Blatter.

“I think it is fairly obvious that a lot of things have not changed,” said Prince Ali.

Also yesterday, a decision on Israeli clubs playing in the West Bank was pushed back until October.

The Congress, meanwhile, ratified a decision to open up the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup to any federation except those from Asia and Europe.

Infantino also raised the prospect of a “world women’s league“, but gave no further details. AFP