FIFA boss Infantino snubs Premier League glamour ties to attend Millwall clash

04 March 2023 , 15:44

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino was all smiles after snubbing the Premier League and heading down to Millwall's match against Norwich (Image: Jed Leicester/REX)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino made a shock visit to The Den on Saturday afternoon to take in Millwall's clash against fellow Championship high-fliers Norwich City.

It is believed that Infantino, 52, flew into London to attend a conference and decided to attend a match during his stint in the capital. But rather than heading along to the Emirates - where Arsenal hosted Bournemouth - or to Stamford Bridge to take in Chelsea's match against Leeds, Infantino snubbed the Premier League to take in a clash between two of the second-tier's top sides.

News of Infantino's presence spread like wildfire on social media, with a number of fans left bemused by his decision to snub several other big games being played in and around the capital. But he did, arguably, pick out the game of the day in the second-tier.

Ahead of Saturday's match, which was played in front of a sell-out crowd, Millwall were fifth in the Championship table with Norwich - one of the pre-season favourites for promotion - sat in seventh. Both are in contention to earn promotion to the top tier; after missing out on a spot in the Championship play-offs in recent seasons, Gary Rowett's Lions look a good bet to crack into the top six this year.

Norwich, meanwhile, have recovered from a poor start of the season after replacing Dean Smith with David Wagner - but they found themselves behind after just 20 minutes at The Den.

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Millwall No.9 Tom Bradshaw produced a clinical finish to notch his 13th goal of the season midway through the first half after smart header from Zian Flemming left the in-form striker clean through on goal. He made no mistake, picking up from where he left off in midweek, where he scored in an enthralling 2-2 draw against Luton Town. Jacob Sorensen levelled for the Canaries just seven minutes before the break following a smart corner routine.

It remains to be seen if Infantino will attend any other games during his time in the capital - or how long he will stay in the UK before jetting back to FIFA headquarters. Infantino has kept a relatively low profile since the World Cup in Qatar, although he was in attendance at the funeral of the late, great Pele at the start of the year.

Infantino was in attendance earlier this week at the Congress of the Central Football Union (UNCAF) to hype up the 2026 World Cup, which will be held across Mexico, Canada and the United States.

It was confirmed last November that Infantino had secured enough support for another four-year spell as FIFA's president, meaning he will stay in the top job beyond the next World Cup.

Dan Marsh