FIFA media chief comes to defense of Infantino

Bryan Swanson who is FIFA’s director of media relations, has dismissed the criticisms that Infantino has received about the LGBTQ+ issues at Qatar citing his personal experience with the FIFA president as evidence.

Infantino addressed the criticisms himself at a press conference today, during which he stated

"I feel gay, I feel disabled, I feel [like] a migrant worker"

to support the groups that the international community feels have been mistreated at Qatar.

And now Swanson has backed the president of FIFA, saying:

"I've seen a lot of criticism of Gianni Infantino since I've joined FIFA, in part from the LGBTQ+ community.

"I am sitting here in a privileged position, on a global stage, as a gay man here in

.

"We have received assurances that everyone is welcome and I believe that everybody will be welcomed in this

.

"Just because Gianni Infantino is not gay does not mean he does not care, he does care.

"You see the public side, I see the private side and we have spoken on a number of occasions about this.

"I thought long and hard about whether to mention this in this news conference but I do feel strongly about it.

"We care at FIFA about everyone, we are an inclusive organisation. I have a number of gay colleagues so sitting here, I'm fully aware of the debate. I fully respect everyone's right and opinions to think differently.

"I get it but I also know what we stand for and when he [Infantino] says we are inclusive, he means it."

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