At the end of November, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was granted Lebanese nationality. A decision not understood by women’s rights associations in Lebanon.
Fifa once again in controversy. During a trip to Lebanon at the end of November, Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa since 2016, was granted Lebanese nationality. A controversial decision, particularly among women’s rights associations in the country, who demand that nationality be transmitted by the mother, and not by the father, as is already the case.
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There is another way to obtain Lebanese nationality, an exceptional procedure. What the president of Fifa benefits from. Gianni Infantino obtained the pardon through a presidential decree, signed by Joseph Aoun, the current president of Lebanon since January 9, 2025.
« I am very honored, of course, to become Lebanese. I have been Lebanese for many years, because my wife is Lebanese”
Gianni Infantino
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Married to a Lebanese woman, Lina Al-Ashkar, with whom the Italian-Swiss has four children – who themselves do not have Lebanese nationality due to current transmission laws – was delighted with this news. “I am very honored, of course, to become Lebanese. I have been Lebanese for many years, because my wife is Lebanese”he insisted.
If this news angered the Lebanese people, it is also because the day after obtaining nationality, the Lebanese Football Federation (LFA) announced the construction of a new ultra-modern stadium in Beirut, entirely financed by Fifa. This stadium, which will see the light of day when the LFA obtains the land, will have a capacity “from 20,000 to 30,000 people”according to Gianni Infantino and will respond “to international standards, which we will offer to Lebanon”, with the aim of welcoming the national team.
