FIFA backs Tapia, raises concerns over government row | OneFootball

Amid rising tensions between the National Government and the AFA, Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia received strong political backing by appearing publicly alongside Gianni Infantino (FIFA) and Alejandro Domínguez (CONMEBOL). The meeting took place in Colombia, during the inauguration of the new High-Performance Accommodation Center of the local federation. This image of unity sends a direct message to Javier Milei’s administration: FIFA prioritizes institutional autonomy and rejects any intervention by the IGJ or state interference in sports matters.

Elite infrastructure in Colombia with the CONMEBOL seal The newly inaugurated sports complex features 48 rooms, cutting-edge medical technology, top-level gyms, and playing fields. The project required a multi-million dollar investment, of which more than 5 million dollars were contributed by CONMEBOL.

During the event, Alejandro Domínguez praised the potential of Colombian football and expressed optimism for the future: “It’s possible that two South American teams could reach the World Cup final; we have to believe, and this project is proof of that path,” stated the Paraguayan official.

Infantino: between supporting the region and concern for Mexico For his part, the FIFA president took advantage of his stay in South America to address the security situation in Mexico, following the violence sparked by the death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Although the state of Jalisco is on alert, Infantino offered reassurance regarding the World Cup venues and the upcoming reopening of the Azteca Stadium.

“We are monitoring the situation, but we have full confidence in President Claudia Sheinbaum and the Mexican authorities,” assured the FIFA chief. He also played down the risks by noting that, although they do not live on “another planet” and are aware of the conflicts, they have complete trust in the security operations for the playoffs and the main event in 2026.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.