FIFA chief is talking balls

Fan champ hits back at Infantino and says CEO should remember his governing body did not invent beautiful game

- BY MARK MCGIVERN

SCOTTISH footie fan champions have blasted claims that 150 countries would not have football if it wasn't for FIFA.

Gianni Infantino, head of world football's governing body, used the claim to justify sky high ticket prices which have been condemned globally as profiteering.

But Paul Goodwin, founder of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, said the boast provides further evidence he and FIFA have lost any connection to fans who represent the lifeblood of the game.

Goodwin claims FIFA's ticket pricing means many Scots have taken on debt and potentially risk months or years of financial strain due to their passion for the game.

He was amazed when Infantino declared in Dubai: "Without FIFA there would be no football in 150 countries in the world. There is football because, and thanks to, these revenues we generate from the World Cup, which we reinvest all over the world."

Goodwin said: "It's insulting to all the nations in the world to say that if there wasn't FIFA there would be no football.

"The vast majority of fans would see FIFA as being all about money.