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Infantino transformed: 'I don't recognize him,' says former UEFA official
🇳🇴 Norway /Culture & Society

Infantino transformed: 'I don't recognize him,' says former UEFA official

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino, once a regular employee, now travels by private jet to World Cup matches, earning around 18 million kroner annually.
  • Former UEFA top official Karen Espelund expressed shock at Infantino's transformation, stating, "I don't recognize him from the time I knew him."
  • Reports suggest Infantino considered his initial salary offer from FIFA an "insult," demanding more than half of his predecessor Sepp Blatter's earnings.

Gianni Infantino, the current FIFA president, has undergone a dramatic transformation since his days as a regular employee. Once complaining about having to buy his own shirts, he now travels North America by private jet to attend two World Cup matches daily, earning an estimated 18 million kroner annually.

I don't recognize him from the time I knew him.

— Karen EspelundEspelund described her surprise at Gianni Infantino's transformation since becoming FIFA president.

Karen Espelund, a former UEFA executive committee member who supported Infantino's candidacy, told VG, "I don't recognize him from the time I knew him." She recalled how his nomination for FIFA president came about, suggesting it was likely discussed with Infantino beforehand.

I remember well that I was on the express boat from Brekstad... and the UEFA meeting was held on Teams. The then-Spanish football president acted as president after Michel Platini had been kicked out. It was the Spaniard who proposed launching Infantino as president of FIFA. I was surprised, but he had probably discussed it with someone beforehand.

— Karen EspelundEspelund recalled the circumstances surrounding Infantino's nomination for FIFA president.

Several individuals who worked at UEFA over a decade ago also told the Danish newspaper Politiken that they barely recognize Infantino. They describe him as transformed since becoming FIFA president. Espelund echoed this sentiment, noting that while she served on UEFA's board during Infantino's administrative tenure, they often discussed principled issues, including UEFA's stance on FIFA and potential term limits for presidents.

Perhaps he had discussed it with Infantino himself too?

— Karen EspelundEspelund speculated about Infantino's prior involvement in his own FIFA presidential nomination.

Espelund pointed out that Infantino was part of the reform committee looking into FIFA's structure before his election. However, she noted that one of his first actions as FIFA president was to break these reform rules himself. An audio recording from Infantino's first FIFA executive meeting in 2016 reveals him emphasizing confidentiality and stating he had not yet signed a contract. He characterized the proposed salary as an "insult," demanding significantly more than his predecessor Sepp Blatter, who reportedly earned around 36 million kroner annually.

He is transformed after becoming FIFA president.

— Unnamed UEFA employeesFormer UEFA colleagues described Infantino's change in demeanor.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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