Police in Vancouver have rejected a request from Fifa to provide president Gianni Infantino with a level-four motorcade escort, the sort of security arrangements usually reserved for heads of state and figures like the Pope.
Fifa’s annual congress takes place in Vancouver this week, and the governing body asked for its president to be given a full motorcade escort through the city, allowing his convoy to go through downtown traffic lights while roads are blocked off. That type of security clearance is only one level below the Pope, on a par with the US president, and higher than that offered to the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney.
A media relations officer from the Vancouver Police Department told The Independent: “Formal motorcades where traffic is stopped are reserved for heads of state. As the Fifa Executive do not meet Internationally Protected Person (IPP) standards that would warrant such an escort (closing roads, intersections, not adhering to traffic devices, etc.), the request was declined.”
The City of Vancouver said in a statement: “Any transportation arrangements that will be made will be appropriate, measured, and consistent with how Vancouver safely hosts major international events.”
Fifa said Infantino was not involved in the request. A Fifa spokesperson said: “The Fifa president was not aware of, or involved in, any requests with authorities in relation to his transportation and security matters for the 76th Fifa Congress. In line with previous arrangements for such events, FWC26 Canada, as local organisers, liaised with authorities requesting support in relation to all delegates, guests, and stakeholders. Fifa does not comment on transportation and security protocols involving the Fifa president and would like to thank law enforcement in Vancouver for their ongoing support this week.”
Similar requests by Fifa for a motorcade for Infantino in New Zealand during the 2023 Women’s World Cup were also declined. The Fifa congress begins on Thursday amid a complaint from the head of the Norwegian FA, Lise Klaveness, over the controversial awarding of a Fifa peace prize to Donald Trump.
