On the eve of the Champions League semi-final second leg between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stirred up controversy with remarks seen as openly biased. Instead of maintaining the neutrality expected from his position, Infantino publicly expressed his support for Inter Milan—just hours before the crucial match.
With the tie delicately poised after a thrilling 3-3 first-leg draw in Barcelona, anticipation was sky-high for the return leg at the San Siro. However, attention shifted from the players to the FIFA chief, following his comments during an appearance at the Miami Grand Prix. “Everyone knows I’m an Inter supporter,” Infantino said with a smile that many found provocative.
This admission immediately triggered criticism, especially from Catalan media and Barcelona fans, who questioned the appropriateness of the world football leader showing favoritism. Many saw his remarks as undermining FIFA’s commitment to impartiality—especially given the high stakes and ongoing scrutiny over refereeing and VAR decisions.
Infantino didn’t stop there. He praised Inter striker Lautaro Martínez, currently a fitness doubt, calling him “a key asset.” These statements added to the impression that he was subtly influencing the narrative ahead of the game.
He also referenced Inter’s strong ties to Argentina, citing legends like Simeone, Zanetti, and Milito, further fanning the flames among Barça supporters who saw this as an attempt to cast Inter in a more favorable light
The backlash in Catalonia was swift. Spanish sports papers slammed Infantino, calling his comments a “disgrace” and “a violation of fair play.” Fans demanded an apology, warning that if Barça were to lose, suspicions about biased officiating would likely follow.
FC Barcelona has not issued an official response, but insiders suggest the club is concerned and monitoring the situation closely. This isn’t the first time Infantino has been accused of blurring the lines between leadership and fandom—though this time, the consequences could be more serious.
At the heart of the Champions League lies the belief in fairness and equal opportunity. Infantino’s remarks—dismissed by some as light-hearted—risk damaging that perception. And with tensions already high, his words have only heightened the drama.
As the match draws near, all eyes are on San Siro—not just for the football, but also to see whether the spirit of fairness will hold firm in the face of unwanted interference from the top
