Gianni Infantino’s attempt at Israel-Palestine handshake backfires | Gianni Infantino

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed his intention to run for a third full term next year after an attempt to orchestrate a handshake between Palestinian and Israeli delegates to the congress backfired.

Palestinian Football Federation president Jibril Rajoub refused to stand alongside Israeli FA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman in an awkward moment near the end of the 76th FIFA Congress, after both men were called on stage in Vancouver by Infantino.

Several sources in the convention hall suggested that Infantino, who last year created the FIFA peace prize he gave to Donald Trump, had wanted to organize a photo shoot before announcing his candidacy.

Infantino ignored the palpable embarrassment of those in attendance to announce sports’ worst-kept secret, that he will seek re-election next year. The election will take place at the FIFA congress in Rabat, Morocco, and is unlikely to face any opposition.

Infantino was first elected as a reform candidate to replace disgraced Sepp Blatter in 2016, but is likely to remain in office for 15 years after Fifa’s statutes were changed so that only full terms count towards the three-term limit.

“I want to confirm that I will be a candidate for the FIFA presidential election next year,” Infantino said. “I wanted you to be the first to know. Thank you for your encouragement and support.”

Infantino has increasingly sought to present himself as an international statesman in recent years, but the exchange between Rajoub and Suliman illustrated the limits of his diplomatic powers.

After Rajoub refused to do what he wanted, Infantino returned to the stage and said: “We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman. Let’s work together to give hope to children. These are complex issues.”

Asked what Rajoub said when he refused, Palestinian Federation Vice President Susan Shalabi told Reuters: “I cannot shake hands with someone the Israelis brought in to whitewash their fascism and genocide. We are suffering.”