FIFA President Gianni Infantino has seen a Swiss investigation into a controversial flight he took from Suriname dropped, a week before he is expected to be re-elected.
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland announced on Thursday that the probe into the 52-year-old’s use of a private plane in 2017 had been discontinued.
Infantino had been able to demonstrate “that his decision had been in accordance with FIFA expenses regulations for high-ranking officials,” the office said.
The FIFA Ethics Committee had closed its own case “due to lack of credible evidence” in August 2020.
Zurich-based FIFA welcomed Thursday’s decision and stressed in a statement that Infantino “has also decided to waive any claim for damages, thus foregoing any potential compensation.”
However, Swiss federal prosecutors said other proceedings against Infantino, including probes into a suspected breach of official secrecy, abuse of office, and favoritism as well as incitement thereto were still ongoing.
Infantino has been president of football’s world governing body since February 2016 after succeeding disgraced Swiss compatriot Joseph Blatter.
He will stand for election at FIFA Congress on March 16 in Rwanda without an opponent in spite of European football federations being upset with several of his decisions.
This also includes the World Cup being increased to 48 teams in 2026. (dpa/NAN)
