A positive step – FIFA’s Gianni Infantino defends Saudi Arabia World Cup award

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia and his close relationship with United States president Donald Trump.

The Middle East kingdom was controversially handed the finals in nine years’ time by acclamation at a FIFA Congress in December, despite concerns about its human rights record, the risks to migrant labourers and criminalisation of same-sex relationships.

The process followed by FIFA was also criticised by the Norwegian football federation, but Infantino said: “There was a Congress decision, uniting the entire world.

“I think it was a very positive step for football, bringing, in eight years, football (from) all over the world, hosting everyone.

IT’S OFFICIAL: FIFA ANNOUNCES SAUDI ARABIA AS THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2034™️ HOST NATION