Gianni Infantino arrives in Cali for Abelardo de la Espriella's inauguration
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has arrived in Colombia, confirming his attendance at President Abelardo de la Espriella's inauguration.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Author: Пресс-служба Президента России
FIFA President Gianni Infantino landed in Cali, Colombia, on Friday morning, August 7. The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) officially confirmed the leader's presence, putting an end to reports suggesting he might miss the inauguration ceremony of the country's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella.
Infantino arrived alongside CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez. The pair is scheduled to begin their visit at the Pan American Sports Unit, participating in a youth football festival before attending the inauguration at the Santiago de Cali University arena later in the afternoon.
The visit takes place amid strained relations between Infantino and European football bodies, particularly UEFA, over his management of the international calendar and the expansion of FIFA tournaments. In contrast, the Swiss official maintains a strong alliance with South American leadership, including FCF president and FIFA vice-president Ramón Jesurún, who has publicly supported his administration.