Filming FIFA President Gianni Infantino at least once per game, but not when using his phone, and with shots above the knees when seated next to a local dignitary, to respect “sensitivities cultural”. Such were the preposterous instructions given to the television teams in charge of broadcasting the World Cup matches in Qatar, has indicated The Times, Thursday.
According to the British daily, these orders issued by email came from Host Broadcast Service (HBS), a company based in Switzerland with offices in Boulogne-Billancourt, mandated by FIFA to produce the images of the World Cup then broadcast by television stations around the world.
The Times also indicates that at least once, images of Infantino with his phone were broadcast, which earned a reprimand from the person in charge of broadcasting the match. The boss of planetary football managed to attend, at least in part, the 64 matches of the World Cup. An “feat” to be put into perspective by the size of Qatar.
VIPs treated specially by the TVs
When questioned, FIFA and HBS refused to speak, but the requests concerning the way of filming VIPs during major sporting events are not specific to FIFA, recalls the English newspaper. However, this story will certainly not restore the image of Gianni Infantino, not far from passing his predecessor Sepp Blatter for a paragon of humility.