The Slow Newscast

My boy Gianni: Infantino and Trump

11 snips
Dec 9, 2025
Gianni Infantino, the powerful President of FIFA, is a central figure in world football and a key political player. He reflects on his unexpectedly close ties with Donald Trump, sparking debate about his commitment to football's integrity. The conversation reveals Infantino's rise from UEFA to FIFA amidst scandals and reform promises. As he navigates complex relationships with world leaders, questions linger about the compromises he makes. The dynamics of political patronage and the controversial FIFA Peace Prize for Trump add intrigue to their alliance.
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ANECDOTE

Unexpected Presence At Gaza Summit

  • Journalists spotted Gianni Infantino's name on a family-photo sticker at the Gaza Peace Summit, surprising many attendees.
  • Infantino later stood behind Donald Trump during the peace-plan announcement and posed for photos, showing his closeness to Trump.
INSIGHT

Courting Host-Nation Leaders

  • Infantino deliberately courts leaders of World Cup host nations to secure smooth tournaments and influence.
  • His networking-style approach leverages personal relationships to protect FIFA's flagship event and its revenues.
ANECDOTE

2015 Dawn Raid That Rocked FIFA

  • Swiss police raided the Baro Lack Hotel in 2015, exposing widespread FIFA corruption and top officials' arrests.
  • The scandal ousted Sepp Blatter and created the context in which Gianni Infantino was later elected to clean up FIFA's image.
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