Infantino defies FIFA vice president by going to youth event in Caribbean amid global soccer rift

Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, defied a request from one of his vice presidents to remain away from a Caribbean youth soccer event, instead attending a rare public appearance during the global controversy surrounding his failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. Infantino posted photos on Instagram of himself meeting political and soccer officials from the Dominican Republic at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-14 tournament in Punta Cana.

The Canadian president of CONCACAF, Victor Montagliani, had asked Infantino to avoid the event to prevent a distraction from the soccer games. Infantino withdrew his controversial $20 billion FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan on August 1 after facing backlash from soccer leaders and fans, and his COO was fired shortly after.