‘He’s become Trump’ – Gianni Infantino set for tense UEFA meeting as Ceferin counters views on Russia

Gianni Infantino’s increasingly populist views will have landed him an unwelcome reception at UEFA’s 50th Congress.

The FIFA president will be on site in Brussels and is expected to make a speech after his counterpart at UEFA contradicted his views on Russia.

Speaking earlier in the day about Infantino’s views on welcoming the country that invaded Ukraine back to the world of football, Aleksander Ceferin wasn’t keen.

“Our position remains unchanged,” he said. “I cannot comment on what FIFA does or what governments say.”

Ceferin isn’t the only one on a different page to Infantino, with multiple outlets claiming officials are uncomfortable with his closeness to US president Donald Trump.

Infantino bizarrely invented a ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ to give to Trump at the draw for the 2026 World Cup in the Americas, and that hasn’t sat well with everyone.

RMC Sport quote an unnamed source within the European football family who said: “It’s always tense, especially since Infantino became Trump.

“They are literally the same people, the same styles, the same arrogance and the same disconnect from football and ordinary people.”

What did Gianni Infantino say about Russia?

Speaking on February 3rd, Infantino said of Russia’s ban from UEFA and FIFA competitions: “We have to, because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred.

“Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.

“We should actually never ban any country from playing football because of the acts of their political leaders.

“Somebody needs to keep the ties open.”

Despite suggesting that FIFA can ‘keep ties open’ Infantino has previously commented on other issues: “It’s very clear that politics should stay out of football and football should stay out of politics.”