FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he only wants to talk about “positive things” after he was asked in his pre-Women’s World Cup news conference Wednesday about the many disputes between players and federations.
England, Canada, Spain, Nigeria and others have all had issues either about financial support or broader backing from their federations in recent weeks and months.
“Until August 21 (the day after the final), you’ll hear from me only positive things about everything and everyone,” said Infantino.
“If somebody is still not happy about something, I’m so sorry. I am happy with everything and I love everyone. As for August 21, we’ll focus on other issues around the world and we’ll deal with all the problems coming out.”
In his opening statement to media in Auckland, New Zealand, Infantino began with a joke.
“For those of you waiting to hear how I feel today, today I feel tired because I just landed but I feel very happy,” Infantino said, in reference to his news conference just before the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar in which he accused the West of “hypocrisy”, infamously adding: “Today I feel Qatari, I feel Arab, I feel African, I feel gay, I feel disabled, I feel a migrant worker.”
Speaking the day before the Women’s World Cup begins in…
