The FIFA president looks the other way when Somali referee Omar Artan is denied a visa to enter the United States due to a case of identity with a leader of a Somali military group. And then he allows himself to mock Italy, a national team that (it's true) hasn't qualified for the finals in three editions but has also won four World Cups and made football history despite losing to Pelé's Brazil when the Rimet was at stake, and on penalties in the United States, again against the Brazilians. Gianni Infantino launched the World Cup finals with 48 teams and believes that to have Italy in the finals, the number would need to increase to 64 or perhaps – he says with barely concealed sarcasm – to 228. An unfortunate joke accompanied by a hearty laugh. Hearty, not a big one. Mockery is not permissible for those at the top of the world federation, towards anyone. Respect is one of the firm tenets of football, and Infantino has spilled malicious ink on it. He should be aware that he has no right to plunge a knife into the conscience of a country that is making amends for the mistakes that led to its national team's exclusion once again, but is certainly capable of restarting with the skills and expertise it can muster. We would have expected words of regret for his absence and the hope that Italy can return to prominence. And to think that at the Azteca, he had Roby Baggio in the stands behind him. Then the unexpected words: from Infantino to Infantile.
photo credits: X Fifamedia
