Football: The Victory Over Infantino Is Exceptionally a Victory Over Boundless Greed

The German article "Football: The Victory Over Infantino Is Exceptionally a Victory Over Boundless Greed" draws a parallel between the fairy tale of Timm Thaler and the current state of football governance, particularly concerning FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The tale, written 64 years ago by James Krüss, features a boy who gains the ability to win any bet from a baron, but at the cost of his laughter. The story explores Timm's eventual realization of his loss and his attempts to reverse the deal.

The article implies that this narrative serves as a metaphor for situations in football where perceived gains might come with significant, perhaps unforeseen, personal or ethical costs. The "victory over boundless greed" in the title suggests a critique of excessive avarice within the sport's leadership, hinting that such greed can lead to detrimental outcomes, much like Timm losing his laughter.

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Remember the story of Timm Thaler? James Krüss wrote it 64 years ago; about the boy who bought the ability from a baron to win any bet. The baron wanted something in return, and Timm sold it to him: his laughter.

While the article doesn't detail specific events or accusations against Infantino, it uses the fairy tale to evoke a sense of caution and critique. The underlying message seems to be that power and ambition, when driven by greed, can lead to a loss of something essential, akin to Timm's sacrifice of his laughter. The reference to the fairy tale frames the discussion around the potential for exploitation and the importance of recognizing the true cost of certain bargains in the world of football.

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How the boy doesn't realize at first what he's getting into and how he then tries to undo the deal, that's what the book is about.