The astonishing development comes after the FIFA chief allowed Trump to crash Spain’s World Cup final celebrations.
Dylan Terry
Donald Trump reportedly wants to nominate FIFA president Gianni Infantino for the role of UN Secretary-General.
US president Trump, 80, has developed a close relationship with the football boss, 56, and was seen smiling alongside him during Spain’s World Cup final celebrations.
The pair have spent the last few years praising each other’s administrations — which culminated in Infantino awarding Trump the first ever FIFA Peace Prize last year, two months before the US launched co-ordinated military strikes on Iran.
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Now the New York Post is exclusively reporting Trump wants Infantino as the next UN Secretary-General.
A source close to Trump has described Infantino as someone that “is respected by everyone around the world, and recognises he has a special ability to bring people together”.
Acting Secretary-General, Portuguese politician Antonio Guterres, is stepping down and retiring in December.
The election for his replacement will take place later this year.
In order to clinch the position, Infantino would have to obtain the backing of the 15-member Security Council — within which the five permanent members hold vetoes.
The Swiss would then have to be confirmed by the General Assembly.
However, it is unclear whether Infantino wants the job — and he has already declared his candidacy for re-election as FIFA president.
Infantino would take a major pay cut if he took the role at the UN – slashing his $6m (A$8.56m) salary to $418,000 (A$596,000).
Paolo Zampolli, the Italian-American businessman and diplomat acting as Trump’s US Special Representative for Global Partnerships, told the Post that “only Trump could have such a genius idea.”
He went on to claim that Infantino “would do a great job” and that “there is some similarity” between his current role and the responsibilities involved in working for the UN.
“At the United Nations, you have to deal with 193 member states,” he said.
“In FIFA, there are over 200 members [and] Gianni’s great record shows he knows how to manage.”
Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 after he left his role as UEFA Secretary General following a seven-year stint.
He has been heavily criticised during the World Cup for a number of decisions including the allowance of hydration breaks, and the unprecedented move to reprieve USA striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension following a call from Trump.
