Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, commenced the World Football Association Congress several hours behind schedule as he was attending to matters in the Persian Gulf alongside the President of the United States.

Following a break, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and English FA President Debbie Hewitt chose not to return to the session, expressing their discontent with Infantino’s actions.

The BBC reported that UEFA has accused Infantino of prioritizing “personal political interests” over his responsibilities and duties in the realm of football.

The FIFA Congress was postponed for a total of two hours and 17 minutes.

Infantino defended his visit to the Persian Gulf, deeming it crucial for promoting football among global political and economic leaders.

“The FIFA Congress stands as one of the key events in world football, where all 211 member nations convene to deliberate on crucial matters impacting the sport globally. By delaying the start of the Congress, Infantino has placed the values of football below his own interests. We are all committed to prioritizing football in both everyday situations and at major events, yet we had to leave the Congress prematurely,” UEFA stated. In addition to Ceferin and Hewitt, other UEFA Council members also exited the FIFA Congress.

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