Football Legends Face Backlash for Glowing Tributes to FIFA President
Prominent football figures have been widely mocked for what critics describe as 'sycophantic' praise directed at FIFA president Gianni Infantino, marking ten years since his election to the role. Through its official social media channels, FIFA posted a series of fawning tributes to the controversial figurehead from several high-profile names, most notably American football icon Tom Brady.
Tom Brady's 'Man of the People' Comment Sparks Outrage
The Birmingham City co-owner and NFL legend declared in his tribute: 'I think Gianni is a man of the people and he's always out there celebrating the great parts of the sport. I think he's made great contributions to the world of football.' This characterization of Infantino as a 'man of the people' provoked immediate backlash from supporters, particularly in light of the staggering ticket prices for upcoming World Cup matches.
Tickets for group stage games in next year's tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are reportedly three times more expensive than those for the previous World Cup. The cheapest seats available for the final match will cost an astonishing £3,129, prompting widespread condemnation from fans across the globe.
Infantino has defended these prices by insisting they simply reflect 'absolutely crazy' public demand. However, this explanation has done little to quell the anger directed at both FIFA and the individuals publicly praising its president.
Fans Condemn 'Embarrassing' Display of Flattery
The social media montage of tributes led to one fan writing: 'That you had to make this montage of sycophancy then publicly post it, says more about Mr Infantino and the world's view of him than you appear to realise.' Another critic targeted Tom Brady specifically, stating: 'Tom Brady will literally shill for anyone at this point. Fanatics. Saudi flag football. FIFA. Doesn't matter. Now he's calling Gianni Infantino a "man of the people" while World Cup tickets cost a mortgage payment and FIFA is wrapped in controversy.'
This sentiment was echoed by numerous other comments highlighting the disconnect between the praise and reality. One observer noted: 'His "man of the people" Infantino has overseen a ticket price increase so drastic that most Americans won't be able to afford attending a World Cup in their own back yard. Literally would have been cheaper to go to the Euros, flights included.' Some critics went even further, labeling the tributes as embarrassing and suggesting that Infantino's tenure has been more problematic than that of his disgraced predecessor, Sepp Blatter.
Other Football Icons Join the Praise
The compilation of flattering remarks was not limited to Tom Brady. Italian football legend Francesco Totti also featured prominently, writing: 'He's an amazing person, a hard worker, someone who always wants to do his best for football. We're talking about a genuine competitive, well-rounded person, some who is always available, always there for everyone.'
Legendary Spanish defender Carlos Puyol added his voice, stating: 'I think he's doing a great job. He's trying to get football to grow.' German World Cup winner Lothar Matthäus contributed: 'You can tell that he's very, very close to football, not only in his head but above all his heart. He's emotionally involved and it's wonderful, of course, that the president of a world association carries this sport in his heart like that.'
Infantino's Decade of Controversy and Self-Promotion
Gianni Infantino, who is rarely one to miss an opportunity for self-promotion, saw these tributes posted to FIFA's official X account, which boasts 14.9 million followers. The praise extended beyond former players, with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi highlighting financial successes, writing: 'Our FIFA Club World Cup, that's a huge success for me. Around $2billion in revenue in less than one year, so it was a big success for the clubs and for FIFA.'
Infantino's decade in charge has been marked by significant controversy and division. He has faced repeated criticism for his cozy relationship with former US president Donald Trump, particularly during events like the Club World Cup and World Cup draws, where he awarded Trump a peace prize. This week, Infantino also faced questions regarding Mexico's capability to co-host the upcoming World Cup amid escalating cartel violence.
Recent chaos in Mexico, following the army's killing of notorious drug lord Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, has sparked a wave of retaliation across the country. This violence forced the Mexican football federation to postpone several domestic games, raising serious concerns about fan safety for the thirteen World Cup matches scheduled across three cities: Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey.
Despite these fears, Infantino expressed unwavering confidence, stating: 'I want to say from the outset that we have complete confidence in Mexico, in president [Claudia] Sheinbaum, in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will turn out for the best. From my side and from FIFA's side, I have absolute confidence in Sheinbaum. We are in regular contact with the authorities, and we are, in any case, monitoring the situation. The World Cup is going to be an incredible celebration.'
