In response to a question on whether Infantino, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry and International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons were doing a good job — in light of criticism they have faced about the World Cup, Trump and Russian participation in sporting events — Micallef was blunt about all three senior officials.
“I certainly think that there’s room for improvement,” he said. In response, the FIFA spokesperson highlighted a series of Infantino’s achievements in development, tournaments and women’s football during his ten years in charge.
‘It’s not ideal’
America’s behemoth National Basketball Association is pressing forward with plans to launch a competition in Europe next year, but elements of its proposal have sparked consternation from policymakers.
Promotion and relegation — central to the European model of sport — is fueling the argument as the NBA’s proposal foresees some prospective clubs in major markets, including key EU capitals, being permanent members. The debate is particularly thorny as Europe already has a largely closed continental basketball league — the Euroleague — where most teams hold long-term licenses and new clubs rarely gain entry through sporting merit alone.
“The only thing worse than a closed league in European basketball is having two closed leagues in European basketball,” Micallef said.
“I’ve been very, very clear in my statements, my messages, that closed league models are not sustainable models for European sport — also in this case for European basketball. I think the European sport model built on solidarity, on openness of competitions, with sporting merit determining whether you qualify for a European competition, or whether you are relegated or promoted, and the pillars of the European sport model continue to apply,” he added.
