Infantino dogged by threat of Russia and fear of Trump as he heads to sweet-talk Uefa

Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, will face major scrutiny when he addresses the UEFA annual congress in Brussels on Thursday. The past 12 months have been marked by fractious relations between the two governing bodies, with several thorny issues still simmering. Last year, Infantino used the UEFA congress to make a case for Russia's return to competitive action, a move that was met with skepticism. In a recent interview, Infantino reiterated his stance, suggesting that the ban on Russian sides should be reassessed, at least for age-group teams. However, there is little chance of his views gaining traction across Europe. The article also mentions the threat of Russia and the fear of Trump's potential influence as Infantino heads to the UEFA congress. The Fifa president's messaging will be closely watched by the delegates, as he navigates the complex and contentious relationships within the world of football governance.