WHO CAN HOLD INFANTINO TO ACCOUNT? ASK THE FA

HOW does Gianni Infantino get away with it? Perhaps because he has organisations like our own Football Association marking his homework.

They wanted a centre for migrant workers in Qatar or a compensation fund, but got neither. They wanted no further disruption to the European domestic calendar, but on Saturday Infantino was talking about taking the World Cup to Iran, where the temperature in the height of summer can hit the 90s.

They also wanted stronger criteria around human rights for tournament hosts — and perhaps a stable door to corral that horse last seen bolting over the horizon — but Infantino spoke of holding a World Cup in North Korea. Anyway, having got none of their demands, the FA will be voting for... Infantino.

Of course, he’ll be the only candidate on the ballot paper when FIFA members decide in March, so it wouldn’t make any real difference. Yet Germany are going through the motions of refusing to back Infantino (left), even when the alternative is no vote at all. It’s a gesture, but not a token one — unlike the FA’s fine words, set against their actions.