No More Private Planes? New FIFA President Flies EasyJet to U.K.
- Gianni Infantino has promised to cut FIFA's spending
- Soccer's global body is known for lavish perks for top brass
Gianni Infantino.
Photographer: Alexander Hassenstein/FIFA via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
FIFA’s new president took office promising to cut costs at the global soccer body and pass the savings along to member countries. So in his first trip abroad, Gianni Infantino booked a ticket on EasyJet, one of Europe’s lowest-frills carriers.
The contrast with his predecessor, Joseph “Sepp” Blatter, is stark. Under Blatter, whose 17-year reign ended following a ban for ethics violations, FIFA was known worldwide to spare no expense for senior officials, who flew first class, were chauffeured in limousines, and received generous per diem allowances. Blatter preferred to travel by private jet.