FIFA, President Infantino visits San Marino: "Ensuring access to football for girls and boys is the World Cup that every Federation can win"

Just under five years on from his previous official visit to the San Marino Football Federation, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has returned to the Republic. Yesterday evening he met with clubs, affiliated associations and Giorgio Crescentini, Honorary Member of the FSGC, which was represented in full by the Federal Council. Before sharing an informal moment in the hospitality lounge of the San Marino Stadium, President Infantino addressed those present: "It is an honour and a pleasure to be back in San Marino, a place that brings back fond memories for me – even from before my official visits as FIFA President. I would like to congratulate you on the valuable and essential work that each of you,” Infantino stressed, turning to the audience, “has done, is doing and will do for the development of football in San Marino. Out of the 211 affiliated Member Associations, only one is world champion. Nevertheless, all of them – without exception – can and must see ensuring access to football for girls and boys as their own World Cup." "It is a great honour for us to host President Infantino in San Marino," commented Marco Tura, President of the FSGC. "His presence here, despite a very busy schedule and less than two months before the start of the World Cup in Qatar, shows the excellent relationship between the San Marino Football Federation and FIFA, as well as the bonds of respect and friendship that tie us to its President." These themes were reiterated during the Audience with the Captains Regent H.E. Oscar Mina and H.E. Paolo Rondelli, held this morning at Palazzo Pubblico. Infantino was presented to the Supreme Magistracy by the Secretary of State for Sport Teodoro Lonfernini, who highlighted the importance of having such a distinguished guest in the country at this time. "Sport – and football in particular – is an incredible vehicle for values: working hard to achieve results, getting back up after a defeat or learning to behave according to clear rules," Infantino recalled in the chamber of the Great and General Council, "are just some of football’s lessons, which, especially for young people, take root and help shape the citizens of tomorrow. The presence of the FIFA President in San Marino makes the Republic of San Marino today the world capital of football: it is always a pleasure for me to be here and I hope to return very soon." In closing, Infantino shared with those present a concept that is anything but banal: "In the global football system, San Marino and Brazil are on exactly the same level. They have the same dignity and the same capacity to transmit the values of unity and teamwork that football is proud to promote. In particular, in light of what we can see in the world today, these are elements of extraordinary importance."

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