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It seems FIFA president Gianni Infantino is unable to escape almost daily scrutiny of his affairs, as he is now facing fresh trouble in the United States. The latest issue involves an independent investigation into repeated use of Miami International Airport’s Protocol and International Affairs services by his wife Lina and their four daughters in breach of the law.
For context, as a designated VIP/VVIP, Infantino is allowed certain privileges at the Miami International Airport (MIA). MIA’s Protocol and International Affairs Division is operated by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department. Its published functions include expedited airport escorts, coordination with airlines and federal agencies, access arrangements for approved greeters, and a Consular Lounge. These services involve county staff and airport resources.
The August 2020 Courtesies of Port Handbook describes official-business assistance, approval by the Division Director or Protocol Coordinator, and post-assignment reports. Printed page 11 states, for diplomatic and foreign-government families: “Courtesies of port will not be extended when the families are traveling on their own.” The Infantino family were reported to have used these services multiple times without the FIFA president being present.
Resolution R-187-18 approved an amended airport agreement for the 2026 World Cup. Clause 6.9 addresses FIFA-designated VIP/VVIP services; clause 11(i)(c) allocates their costs to the Member Association. The executed agreement, amendments, applicable service period and designation records must be examined before treating any of these family uses as contractually covered. A tournament agreement does not, without more, establish a standing personal entitlement.
The central breach refers to the extension of a principal’s privilege or access to family members travelling independently. If these services were approved as accompanying-family courtesies, the numerous dates conflict directly with the
accompaniment requirement. Records indicate Infantino was not part of the travelling party on those dates.
Another issue under investigation is whether private travel was represented as official business, or whether resources were supplied without required reimbursement.
The investigation seeks to trace responsibility to those individuals who requested, represented, authorised, and funded the assistance. This matter raises serious concern about possible misuse of airport resources and abuse of privilege.
Florida’s prohibition on corrupt misuse of public position applies to covered public officers and employees; it is not automatically applicable to Infantino merely because he is FIFA president. FIFA would ordinarily be required to separately examine whether any private benefit was inconsistent with its ethics obligations. The 2023 Code of Ethics addresses gifts and benefits in article 21 and abuse of position in article 26. The edition applicable to the conduct, any authorised benefits and the individuals’ involvement must be established before reaching a disciplinary finding.
The matter raises fresh concern for Infantino as he continues to face accusations from multiple fronts. According to Josh Paul, Former Director in the U.S. State Department, “Courtesies of Port are an exclusive privilege that are meant to be reserved for the most delicate and direct diplomatic relations – they are not intended as gifts to be handed out to political allies, and certainly are not meant to be abused for the families of such allies to circumvent the regular airport procedures that all Americans are subject to.”
This is not the first time Infantino has been linked with issues relating to abuse of privileges. In April, the Vancouver Police Department denied a request for a Level 4 police motorcade and traffic-light-skipping escort for FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver. A Level 4 motorcade is similar to protection levels granted to high-ranking world figures like the Pope or the U.S. President—which police deemed excessive and a high cost for taxpayers.
However, a FIFA spokesperson maintained that Gianni Infantino was not aware of or personally involved in making the transportation request, and asserted that FIFA never formally demanded a specific motorcade level.
A comparable request for a police motorcade for Infantino during the 2023 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand was similarly rejected by local police.
