{
  "id": 275783,
  "title": "Politicians, private jets and power - the life of a Fifa president",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/politicians-private-jets-and-power-the-life-of-a-fifa-president",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-07T17:45:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport",
    "slug": "bbc-sport",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2rp0n9pydo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gianni Infantino, the current president of Fifa, often travels in style, accompanied by a fleet of blacked out Mercedes and private jets. His arrival at the Fifa headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, for instance, was marked by a cavalcade of vehicles and police cars, a far cry from the ordinary meetings he attends. Infantino's role as Fifa president involves building relationships with powerful people worldwide, including US President Donald Trump, a connection that has been both beneficial and controversial. Prior to the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, Infantino was seen as a powerful figure who was difficult to challenge. However, following a scandal involving the aborted plan to sell a stake in the men's World Cup to private equity firms, Infantino now appears to be attempting to return to business as usual. Despite Uefa's threat to boycott Fifa tournaments, Infantino remains steadfast, bolstered by the support he has received from outside Europe. As the head of the world's most popular sport, Infantino commands a substantial salary of about £4m, nearly triple what he earned when he was first elected in 2016. This high salary, along with a generous 'per diem' for expenses and living costs, reflects the immense responsibility and global reach of his position. Despite criticism over his close ties with Trump and his political neutrality, Infantino remains resolute in his role, traveling extensively to attend confederation meetings and global tournaments.",
  "summary": "Fifa president Gianni Infantino is facing challenges after a failed World Cup private investment plan. He appears to be trying to return to business as usual, but it may not be easy.\n\nNorwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness has called for Infantino's resignation, saying he no longer has the confidence of the football community. According to Klaveness, Infantino does not have the institutional trust required to govern Fifa stably.\n\nKlaveness's comments come amid a bitter conflict among governing bodies sparked by Fifa's abandoned proposal to sell a slice of the World Cup's commercial future. The Norwegians are hoping other Uefa countries will support their call for Infantino to step down.",
  "key_points": [
    "Gianni Infantino, Fifa president, travels in private jets and blacked out Mercedes.",
    "Despite controversies, Infantino earns £4m salary and continues leading FIFA."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "Politicians, private jets and power - the life of a Fifa president",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/politicians-private-jets-and-power-the-life-of-a-fifa-president-275863",
        "published": "2026-08-07T17:45:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "FIFA’s Infantino backed in Colombia where he attends president inauguration",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/fifas-infantino-backed-in-colombia-where-he-attends-president",
        "published": "2026-08-08T05:10:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}