Infantino defies FIFA vice president, makes appearance in the Caribbean

Gianni Infantino appeared in the Caribbean after defying a request from FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani to skip an Under-14 tournament in Punta Cana. Infantino posted photos on Instagram showing meetings with officials from the Dominican Republic at a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) youth event. Montagliani had asked him not to attend on Friday, saying FIFA’s governance crisis and the controversial “FIFA Forward Enterprise” proposal would draw media attention away from football. FIFA did not comment on the request, but noted it directly funds regional bodies like the CFU with up to $5 million from each four-year World Cup cycle. Montagliani and others have sought to end Infantino’s 11th-year presidency, accusing him of deception in a plan later withdrawn on August 1 amid backlash.