In FIFA Pitch, Gianni Infantino Pushes Expansion and Continuity

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Gianni Infantino was at Wembley Stadium in London on Feb. 1 for the unveiling of his manifesto in his bid for the FIFA presidency.

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Andy Rain/European Pressphoto Agency

LONDON — The last time Gianni Infantino ran for elected office, it was an intense battle, a campaign decided on promises and vision.

Infantino remembers it well. He was 18. The race was for president of the tiny soccer club near Brig, Switzerland, his hometown. There were two opponents, both older men whom Infantino described as “established.” Infantino was the surprise entry, a wild card with hopes of having his amateur club promoted up the national pyramid.

Many of the voters doubted Infantino’s mettle. But he ultimately swayed the majority with a bit of savvy campaign bluster. “I told them that if I won, my mother would wash all the kits each week,” Infantino recalled recently. He laughed. “And I won. So she did.”

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