FIFA president Gianni Infantino has sparked a a storm in the desert ahead of the World Cup by bizarrely claiming he knows all about life-altering discrimination due to growing up with red hair.
The game’s global governing body has been slaughtered for the decision to take the finals to Qatar, where the treatment of migrant workers and the rights of LGBTQ+ people have been condemned by human rights campaigners.
If decision makers were hoping for serene before the big kick-off then Infantino had other ideas as his words caused instant shock and did little to quell resentment over the decision to host the tournament in Qatar.
Speaking on Saturday, Infantino said: “Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arabic. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled.