FIFA boss Infantino defends Saudi WC

FIFA president Gianni Infantino Friday stood by his governing body’s decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, while also defending his relationship with Donald Trump.

The Gulf kingdom was controversially handed the right to host the World Cup (WC) at a FIFA Congress in December despite concerns about its human rights record, the risks to migrant laborers and criminalization of same-sex relationships.

The process followed by FIFA was also criticized by the Norwegian football federation but, speaking in Belfast Friday, Infantino said: “There was a Congress decision, uniting the entire world.”