A request for Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, to be given a level four motorcade escort for the governing body’s annual congress in Vancouver this week was rejected by local police.
A level four motorcade is typically what the Pope or Donald Trump, the U.S. President, could expect to receive on a visit to Canada.
If permitted, it would have meant blocking off other road users so that Infantino’s convoy could run through red lights.
However, the request, which FIFA says was made without Infantino’s knowledge, was submitted by FWC26 Canada and dismissed by the local authorities.
“Formal motorcades where traffic is stopped are reserved for heads of state,” Don Chapman, the deputy chief constable at Vancouver Police Department, VPD, said in a statement to The Athletic.
“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.
” Champman did not disclose how much such security measures, if granted, would have cost local taxpayers because “a functional staffing model and a cost analysis were not conducted.”
“The VPD conducted its own internal Threat Assessment related to FIFA Congress and designed a security posture based on those findings,” Champman added. “FIFA Congress will bring 211 delegate nations to Vancouver which may include heads of state and/or IPPs.
“The VPD’s security posture is in step with other large and/or controversial events that come to Vancouver.
” Responding to accusations that Infantino had made the request, FIFA vehemently denied this was the case while thanking local law enforcement for their support. “
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,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
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“In line with previous arrangements for such events, FWC26 Canada, as local organizers, liaised with authorities requesting support in relation to all delegates, guests, and stakeholders.”
The FIFA Congress is taking place in Vancouver on Thursday and precedes the men’s World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium will host seven matches throughout the tournament, starting with Australia vs. Switzerland on June 13. It will also play host to a round of 32 and round of 16 fixture. In a statement released to The Athletic, a spokesperson for the Vancouver mayor’s office said: “Security planning for these events is led by the Vancouver Police Department, working in close coordination with regional, provincial, and federal partners.
“As a host city, it is standard practice to receive a range of security and transportation requests from international delegations. These requests are reviewed carefully to ensure they align with local protocols, operational realities, and the interests of Vancouver residents.
“VPD has confirmed that there will be no motorcade proceeding through traffic signals, and no Emergency Response Team assigned in the manner described. Any transportation arrangements that are made will be appropriate, measured, and consistent with how Vancouver safely hosts major international events.”
NYTIMES.COM
