At the annual FIFA Congress held in Bangkok, an unexpected incident occurred as delegations from several European countries demonstratively left the hall before the event officially began. The reason for the protest was the late arrival of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who showed up more than an hour after the scheduled start without notifying the participants, reports the Baltimore Chronicle.
According to sources, delegates from Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavian countries, and the United Kingdom were among those who walked out. They interpreted Infantino’s actions as a sign of disrespect toward the national association representatives. One delegate stated that the FIFA president ignored diplomatic norms and failed to observe basic protocol.
Infantino was expected to open the congress at 9:00 a.m. local time, but organizers were unable to explain his absence for an extended period, raising concerns among attendees. Participants emphasized that adherence to protocol is usually mandatory at such high-level events.
Despite the incident, the congress did eventually proceed. The delegates who had exited the hall returned later, although the atmosphere remained tense. The move was seen as a clear signal of disapproval toward the FIFA president, who has previously faced criticism over his leadership style and personal ambitions.
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