New FIFA President Gianni Infantino "kick-started his reign with a friendly football match," according to Alex Sharp of the London DAILY MAIL. Past World Cup stars and two current players, Kelly Smith of Arsenal Ladies and Julia Simic of Wolfsburg, "were invited to join Infantino and FIFA staff on his first day in office for the informal kick around." The Swiss-Italian was elected on Friday, ahead of Bahraini Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, to become "only the ninth president" in FIFA's 112-year history. Infantino had insisted that FIFA's reform package "would close the door on a chapter of pain at world football's governing body and usher in an era of joy." That was "certainly the case on Monday" as a host of footballing names including Fabio Cannavaro, Robert Pires, Clarence Seedorf, Paolo Maldini, Deco and Michel Salgado "joined in with the jovial contest just before the snow arrived in Zurich" (DAILY MAIL, 2/29). REUTERS' Brian Homewood reported Infantino said, "The hard work starts now, but I wanted to organize a football match with those who make the game what it is" (REUTERS, 2/29). The BBC reported Infantino "must have a bulging in-tray on his new shiny desk in Zurich." But the 45-year-old "still had his priorities straight by spending his first day in charge playing seven-a-side with a host of sporting legends." The Swiss "made himself captain of one side -- donning the number nine shirt -- as former England manager Fabio Capello coached from the sidelines." Infantino: "As of today, I'd like that when we speak about FIFA, we speak about football. That's why I arranged these games" (BBC, 2/29).
NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS: The AP's Graham Dunbar reported Infantino "kept a campaign promise" by hosting a match next to FIFA's $250M HQ for staff and "several greats." Another pledge he plans to fulfill within 90 days is "starting the 2026 World Cup bidding contest," likely to include the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Infantino said of that contest, which FIFA "stalled after U.S. and Swiss federal corruption investigations" hit nine months ago, "It is fairly urgent. Definitely, I think we need to launch the bidding process in the next couple of months, probably before the congress in May." His working day "began with his former staff" at UEFA, where he was the "CEO-like general secretary" since '09. He gave a farewell speech in the UEFA auditorium about three hours' drive away at Nyon. Infantino was due to "address hundreds of FIFA staff in the afternoon, many apparently demoralized by fallout from the scandal-tainted Sepp Blatter presidential era." Infantino: "What I will tell the FIFA staff I will tell the FIFA staff, not you" (AP, 2/29).
TURNING THE PAGE: The AFP reported Infantino insisted Sunday that FIFA's reform package "would close the door on a chapter of pain" and "usher in an era of joy." The package will "limit Infantino's powers compared to those formerly enjoyed" by Blatter. The all-powerful exec committee will be "renamed a FIFA council and football's multi-billion dollar business activities will be run separately from football politics." Infantino: "This will be done very fast. I mean we have to look forward. The reforms have been approved. As of now and for the future there will be no issues any more" (AFP, 2/29).
SALARY REMAINS UNKNOWN: Homewood reported in a separate piece Infantino said that he "still did not know what he would be paid" as head of FIFA. Speaking after an informal match with FIFA employees and guests, Infantino said he had "still not discussed his salary following his election on Friday." He said, "I have no idea yet. I know you can't believe it but it's not (for the) money that I was candidate to become FIFA president. I have not discussed with anyone about my pay or what my pay will be. We will see." The salary of Blatter, suspended from football for six years, "has never been made public." But reforms agreed by FIFA last week to overcome the corruption scandal "included provision for salaries to be open to scrutiny" (REUTERS, 2/29).
'DIM VIEW': SPORTS ILLUSTRATED reported world players' union FIFPro criticized the reform package passed by FIFA. FIFPro said in a statement, "Despite a package of reforms approved today by FIFA, FIFPro fears placing increased power in the hands of FIFA’s 209 member associations lies at the heart of the problem. These organizations are not representative of the game and, yet, wield enormous influence over issues that affect key stakeholders such as the players, fans, clubs and leagues. The newly-adopted reforms failed to address the fundamental issue of making football authorities accountable to the game's most important actors" (SI, 2/26). SKY SPORTS' Toloui & Thomas reported UEFA Deputy-General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis is in line to replace Infantino within European football's governing body. UEFA confirmed its exec committee will "discuss appointing a new general secretary on March 4." Theodoridis, who has been with UEFA since '08 and previously worked for the Greek FA, is considered the favorite -- "but his selection may be controversial." His father, Savvas, is VP of Greek side Olympiakos, whose president Evangelos Marinakis was found guilty of match fixing by an Athens court last July (SKY SPORTS, 2/29).
GILL TO RECEIVE OFFER: In London, Owen Gibson reported former ManU CEO and FIFA VP David Gill "is expected to be offered a leading role in repairing the dire financial situation of the crisis-hit governing body." A "qualified chartered accountant" who already sits on UEFA's finance committee, Gill is "likely to be offered a role" on FIFA’s finance committee and could even be made chair. Given FIFA’s "parlous financial situation, the composition of the finance committee is expected to be a priority" for Infantino. It was confirmed last week that FIFA was facing a $100M loss this year and is staring at a $550M financial black hole "given huge unexpected expenditure on lawyers, deserting sponsors and low staff morale" (GUARDIAN, 2/28). The BBC reported the organization's exec committee "is to be expanded to a 36-seat council following the passing of the reforms." FIFA's finance committee must have an independent chair, while any exec committee member "who also sits on the finance committee is required to have a financial qualification." Gill: "I am happy to get involved. What Infantino can do -- and what he has done at UEFA -- is build a good team around him. It's not just one person doing it. Yes, he's president and he'll set the tone. But, at the same time, he will understand he's got to do it with a team" (BBC, 2/28).
SEXWALE EXPLAINS DECISION: The BBC's Piers Edwards reported Tokyo Sexwale withdrew from Friday's FIFA presidential election because he was "realistic" about his chances and "also wanted to create a sense of calm." The South African said that he "used his candidature speech" at the congress in Zurich to "break the ice, because there was a lot of tension." Sexwale feared the atmosphere could lead to a "messy election." Sexwale: "I am from the country of Nelson Mandela, who preached reconciliation, and I could feel the tension as we built towards this congress. I felt I needed to play a role to break the logjam" (BBC, 2/29).
