Gianni Infantino has been re-elected president of the world football governing body, FIFA during the 73rd Congress in Kigali.
Following his re-election by acclamation, the 52-year-old Swiss promised record revenues of $US11 billion in the next four-year cycle. He also called for more football to be played around the world.
Infantino stood unopposed during Thursdayās re-election bid and was only going to win it.
āIt is an incredible honour and privilege, and a great responsibility,ā Infantino said. āI promise to continue serving FIFA and football around the world.
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āTo those that love me, and I know there are many, and those who hate meā¦ I love you all.ā
Just as he was re-elected, Infantino confirmed FIFAās income hit record levels in the last cycle from 2019-22.
He however promised to considerably raise this again with the introduction of a 32-team Club World Cup and the expansion of the menās and womenās World Cup tournaments.
āRevenues rose to a record $US7.5 billion (to 2022) in a period that was hit by COVID-19. When I arrived, FIFA reserves stood at around $US1 billion, today they are at almost $US4 billion,ā Infantino said.
āWe promise new record revenues for the next cycle of $US11 billion, and the new Club World Cup is not included in that figure, so it could increase by a couple of billion (more).ā
Infantini also promises transparency and evolution of government
The football governing chief said FIFA would continue to review the transfer system to āimprove transparencyā and suggested the organisation might discuss a salary cap.
āWe must improve our regulations and the FIFA statues. We will continue to evolve our good governance principles and look at the transfer system, and maybe have a discussion to improve transparency of transfer fees and salaries.
āIt might be necessary to introduce a cap, we have to think how we can do that. We will look at it with all stakeholders and see what we can do.ā
Infantino was first elected in an Extraordinary Congress in 2016 following the resignation of his predecessor Sepp Blatter, and retained his position unopposed three years later.
However, with Infantino being re-elected FIFA President now, it means this will only count as his second term and will therefore be available for a third and final term in four yearsā time.
“… the institutions have regained their trust in FIFA”
Infantino also indicated that FIFA had cleaned up its act with regards to governance.
āEvery single dollar that is being invested in projects and associations will undergo an independent audit. Money just doesnāt get lost any more.
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āThat is why the institutions have regained their trust in FIFA. The Department of Justice of the United States has given us more than $200 million back that was stolen by corrupt officials. We have re-invested that in football.ā
Indeed, player welfare groups have questioned FIFAās reason(s) for the expansion of the menās World Cup from 64 to 104 games, but Infantino stated that “in most parts of the world there is not enough football played.”
āWe need way more and not less competitions, we want football to develop worldwide.
āWe are discussing organising a womenās Club World Cup and a FIFA World Series in March every two years, when teams are free from playing qualifiers.ā
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