By Rob Harris, sports activities correspondent
Amongst heads of states and governments, there might sound an sudden determine on the peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh: FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
However the Swiss-Italian boss of soccer’s governing physique has honed a powerful bond with Donald Trump.
In the course of the first presidential time period in 2020, Infantino was invited to the White Home for the signing ceremony for the Abraham Accords, normalising relations between Israel and several other Arab nations.
Infantino confronted strain to do extra to leverage soccer’s place to finish the Israel-Hamas battle however mentioned sport “can not clear up geopolitical issues”.
There had been a rising clamour in European soccer for Israeli groups to be suspended.
However the push for a vote collapsed after Sky Information revealed the Trump administration would intervene to stop Israel being banned from football and the peace talks gathered tempo.
Earlier than receiving the invite to Egypt, there was an unsuccessful late intervention by Infantino lobbying on his buddy’s behalf final week.
Infantino posted on Instagram: “President Donald J. Trump positively deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his decisive actions.”
Few non-People have such shut proximity to the president or are on the White Home so usually.
The World Cup trophy is even there forward of the 2026 match, hand-delivered. Infantino mentioned the model was for “for winners solely… and, since you’re a winner, in fact you’ll be able to as nicely”.
Now, you would not rule out Infantino proposing a peace match between Israel and Palestine.
