FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed MLS owners in person at the league’s Board of Governors meeting today in Los Angeles, becoming the first FIFA president to attend the meeting of the league’s board of directors since the inception of MLS in 1996.
“I was very happy for the first time that the FIFA president came to a meeting of this nature in MLS,” Infantino said. Athleticism. “We have some big events coming up here in North America with the new Club World Cup next year, the World Cup in 2026, so a lot of promotion for football, or soccer as we call it. “
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The MLS Board of Governors is made up of ownership representatives from each of the league’s 30 teams and is led by Commissioner Don Garber. The Board of Directors meets in person three times a year and often uses these meetings to discuss league business and vote on league initiatives.
It is not yet clear what Infantino discussed with the owners during the meeting.
FIFA declined to comment further when asked about removing the world governing body as a defendant in the Relevent Sports antitrust lawsuit, beyond the organization’s already released statement. The development is seen as a potential indicator that FIFA could change its policy allowing domestic league competitions to stage matches outside their home territory – thus making the United States a potential host for matches in Europe’s major leagues like the Premier League.
“It is important to work together to promote the promotion of the game in North America and around the world and from this point of view, for me, it was very interesting and I look forward to continuing to work together,” said Infantino said.
This story will be updated.
(Top photo: ULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)