While hosting FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the Vatican earlier this week, Pope Francis urged soccer’s governing body to “go forward showing honesty and cleanliness.”
Honesty and cleanliness are two words that no one would use to describe FIFA’s conduct over the past several years. The organization is still in recovery after widespread corruption was uncovered by Swiss and American authorities last year, resulting in a string of resignations and bans of many of FIFA’s top officials. Infantino was in fact elected in February as a result of oft-maligned Sepp Blatter’s resignation.
The Pope did not hesitate to allude to FIFA’s previous misconduct, calling on Infantino to practice transparency -- something the previous administration markedly didn’t do.
“Clear paths put things back together in order and honesty,” Pope Francis said after accepting several gifts from his high-profile guest.
The leader of the Catholic Church went on to remind Infantino of soccer’s profound power to shape and unite the children who play the “beautiful game.”
“Football is a weapon, in a good way,” he said. “It serves as an educational and social integration with the kids.”
Infantino, there to promote the Match for Peace organized by the Pope’s Scholas Occurrentes, expressed his appreciation and agreement with his host’s comments, and alluded to a desire to work “together.”
“I regret to not being able to collaborate, because I no longer play,” Pope Francis jokingly responded.
The Pope may well have good reason to steer clear of Infantino, who found himself mired in controversy following the release of the Panama Papers. FIFA’s tarnished reputation will take a long time to piece back together -- but hey, at least EURO 2016 should be exciting.