FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing renewed scrutiny following reports that his office requested "VIP treatment" for his daughters and their pets at Miami airport. The request, made for a personal trip to Qatar, has surfaced amid a series of controversies surrounding the head of global soccer.
The Times revealed that Infantino's presidential office wrote to Miami airport officials in May seeking assistance for three of his daughters and their animals through security. While Miami airport's VIP protocol allows for escorts through security checkpoints and early boarding for diplomats and special guests, these privileges are not typically extended to family members traveling alone, according to airport protocol documents.
Documents reviewed by the Daily Mail suggest that members of Infantino's family have utilized these airport services on multiple occasions between 2024 and 2026 while traveling without the FIFA president.
Miami airport stated that such requests are handled "on a case-by-case basis." FIFA, in a statement to The Times, said that port courtesy requests were made on the advice of a former adviser to the FIFA president and that such courtesies are provided free of charge to the president. The organization added that Infantino's family members are also entitled to request these services under MIA's Courtesies of Port Handbook, provided free of charge at the airport's discretion.
Infantino's tenure has been marked by several recent controversies. Kohzo Tashima, honorary Japanese FA president, announced on Thursday that he will challenge Infantino in the upcoming presidential election next March, where Infantino is seeking a fourth term. Previously, Infantino awarded former U.S. President Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, which drew criticism. During the World Cup, Infantino faced accusations of favoritism and succumbing to White House pressure over the Balogun affair. He also faced backlash for plans, later scrapped, to sell a stake in the World Cup to private equity investors, including Joshua Kushner, brother-in-law of Jared Kushner.
Earlier this week, FIFA denied allegations that Infantino influenced Trump administration officials to expedite a work permit for his housekeeper, who had reportedly lost her legal status in the United States, according to documents reviewed by the Daily Mail.