Press release from Level Playing Field chair Tony Taylor:
It has been one week since FIFA President Gianni Infantino took to the stage on the eve of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to announce how he “feels” to the world.
Infantino delivered a speech with “whataboutism” meant to deflect the scrutiny the 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar deservedly continue to receive for the country’s poor human rights record.
In Infantino’s rambling “I feel” speech, he stated, “I feel disabled”. I wonder if Mr Infantino has ever soiled himself due to inaccessible toilet facilities? Has Mr Infantino ever been separated from his family because the venue he wants to enter cannot accommodate him? Or has Mr Infantino spent nearly two hours on a cold floor because pre-booked assistance failed to turn up?
The last one there happened to me. I had collapsed after having to stand for half an hour after an assistance wheelchair booked in advance didn’t turn up. After nearly 2 hours, I was taken to the hospital.
We at Level Playing Field are guided by the people we represent. There is no substitute for user-led feedback. I often get incredibly frustrated by the way disabled people are portrayed – rather than feeling frustrated, I felt angered by the insensitive comments of Mr Infantino.
That is why it might be helpful for Mr Infantino to receive feedback from disabled football supporters.
Ellis Palmer, chair of Tranmere Rovers Disabled Supporters Association: “In a world where disabled football fans experience unequal provision and inadequate infrastructure – amongst many other broader ableist barriers in society when it comes to attending football matches and living their lives to the full – it will take a lot more than crafted posturing from the FIFA President to improve the experiences of disabled football fans.”
Shana Pezaro, Brighton and Hove Supporter: “I was utterly shocked and devastated by FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s remarks. He completely trivialised the horrific human rights abuses and discrimination experienced by the LGBTQ+ community, migrant workers and disabled people.
“He has no idea how it feels. His words were truly painful and very upsetting.”
Nicky Baker, Ex-England Power Chair Player: “For the FIFA President to state he is disabled is highly offensive. As a disabled person, every day I am disabled by society: lack of access to buildings, lack of access to transport, to inappropriate facilities at stadia, poor sightlines and lack of access to appropriate toilet facilities.
“I do not believe that he has direct experience with these. Whilst he can empathise, every disabled person would experience these barriers differently. It is angering that someone thinks they know how a disabled person would feel or experience things.
Mark Davis, chair of Fulham Disabled Supporters Association: “Mr Infantino’s patronising and insincere comments were a disgraceful attempt to distract from the discrimination and intolerance shown to supporters in Qatar. If he thinks this is a way to show mutual respect, he could not be more wrong.
“He presides over an organisation that supposedly values respect and tolerance but then awards the World Cup to a nation that does not reflect or share those values.”
Ted Morris, chair of Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association: “Everyone at the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association was appalled to hear the comments from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. He stated, ‘I feel disabled’, only to go on and say, ‘of course, I am not disabled’!
“Of course, we know that Mr Infantino is not disabled, and his comments disrespect disabled football supporters.
“He said: ‘There are one billion disabled people in the world, and nobody cares.’ What a disgraceful comment that is so disrespectful to groups such as the one we represent who work tirelessly on behalf of the disabled supporters we represent; we care!
“He disgraces the organisation he leads with flippant comments such as this.
“Mr Infantino introduced the UEFA Access For All document in 2010, stating this: ‘Football is a sport for everyone no matter what their creed, colour or religious belief and as such, the experience of witnessing a live football match, and the highs and lows it brings to fans around the world, should
also be accessible to all – and yet it is not.’
“The terrifying experiences Liverpool disabled supporters endured at the Stade De France, twelve years after he made this statement, show that Mr Infantino is all about words and bluster!
“Disabled supporters deserve better from the President of FIFA! We will continue to care and deliver for the disabled supporters we represent!”
James Horsley, Tottenham Hotspurs supporter: “Mr Infantino’s comments were extremely insensitive and ill-judged, whilst every nation wants to have an enjoyable and successful world cup, the president showed very little empathy or understanding with people who believe it is wrong for world cup to be in Qatar on the grounds of its abuses of the rights of minorities such as LGBTQ+ people and those with disabilities like myself.
“Many disabled people work hard alongside LPF to make sure sport is accessible for all and the comments of Mr. Infantino serve only to embolden those who engage in disability hate. As much as I feel it is right to enjoy football and cheer on our teams, it must be made clear to Mr. Infantino and others in Qatar that these kinds of comments are unacceptable and senior FIFA figures must be made aware as quickly as possible regarding the negative impact that their words could have on the campaign for equal access in sport. I would urge Mr Infantino to reflect on his comments and
apologise.”
These are just a few disabled voices from millions of disabled sports fans who, week in, week out, attend live sports with inaccessible barriers in their way for the love of the game.
For Mr Infantino, a man in a privileged position as the president of the global governing body (FIFA), to express that he understands disability through the lens of his hair colour as a kid is degrading, disrespectful and dangerous.
We would invite Mr Infantino to join Level Playing Field for a fan’s disability forum to hear first-hand from disabled supporters he claims to ‘feel’ one of.