MINSK, 2 June (BelTA) – The visit of new President of the International Football Federation (FIFA) Gianni Infantino to Minsk may take place in September 2016, First Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Football federation Sergei Safaryan told media on 2 June, BelTA has learned.
Belarus has recently received the official answer from the federation saying that Gianni Infantino may come to the Belarusian capital in the third quarter of the ongoing year. Sergei Safaryan stated that according to the letter it is likely to be in September. During the summer months the FIFA president is extremely busy with other important affairs, his office informed.
The First Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Football Federation also said that the initial plans were for Gianni Infantino to attend the opening ceremony of the Football Academy in Minsk. According to the schedule, the construction of the facility near the Football Center in Vesnyanka should be completed in the second quarter of 2016.
The Belarusian Football Federation has received an invitation from the 2016 UEFA EURO organizers to the final that is due in Paris on 10 July. Such invitations are traditionally sent to all heads of the football federations. Sergei Safaryan stressed that in the course of such events representatives of football federations have an opportunity to discuss different issues as well as cooperation, share experience in hosting tournaments of different level.
As for the final of the UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship that was hosted by Belarus, all the guests and UEFA representatives praised a good organization of the competitions and a big interest from fans. Every experience in hosting international tournaments brings positive results, which improves the country's readiness to host European competitions of higher level.
Speaking about the games of the Belarusian national team in May against the future participants of the 2016 UEFA EURO final, Sergei Safaryan noted that football is unpredictable. There was some disappointment after a 0-3 defeat from Northern Ireland. However, the 2-1 victory over Ireland gave a chance to look into the future with optimism, the First Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Football Federation said.
