Fifa president Gianni Infantino responded with the quip “I’ll see you at the hairdressers” when challenged by a journalist over whether he had betrayed football with his abandoned World Cup sell-off scheme.
The head of football’s governing body was confronted outside a hotel in the Dominican Republic by Sky News US correspondent James Matthews. Matthews, who like the 56-year-old Infantino has a bald head, asked Infantino if he had “betrayed the game of football”.
Infantino replied: ”You have a nice haircut. Thank you so much.” As the president walked off, Matthews asked: “Why won’t you resign? Fans, Fifa associations want you to step down. Why won’t you? Have you betrayed the trust of Fifa?” Entering a waiting black vehicle, Infantino called back: “I’ll see you at the hairdressers.”
Three continental confederations accused the president of “deception” last week over efforts to introduce private investment into Fifa tournaments. Uefa has also threatened a boycott of Fifa competitions, having “lost confidence” in Infantino’s leadership.
Supporters' groups across the world have launched a petition demanding Infantino’s resignation. A statement on behalf of the fan organisations said: "The shameful attempt by one individual – the Fifa president himself – to sell off the World Cup to private investors exposed a betrayal football will never forget."