'Today I feel gay... today I feel disabled' - FIFA president Infantino delivers extraordinary & controversial speech ahead of World Cup opener

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has addressed the press in Qatar in a speech that will likely be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Tournament begins tomorrow
Controversy keeps growing
Infantino fails to dissuade concerns

WHAT HAPPENED? Ahead of the start of the Qatar World Cup, the FIFA president delivered a bizarre public address which has only served to raise more eyebrows regarding the much-scrutinised international tournament.

WHAT THEY SAID: Speaking in a press conference, Infantino said: "Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker."

He added: "I know what it feels [like] to be discriminated [against]… I was bullied because I had red hair."

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THE BIGGER PICTURE: Infantino has been a staunch advocate of hosting the World Cup in Qatar since the nation won the bid in 2010. The tournament finally gets underway on Sunday, although the last-minute decision to ban beer sales in and around stadiums has sparked further controversy.

IN A PHOTO:

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WHAT NEXT FOR INFANTINO? Despite the controversy surrounding Infantino's comments, the World Cup will begin on November 21 as Qatar host Ecuador in Group A. The Swiss-Italian also looks set to be re-elected as FIFA president, as he runs unopposed ahead of a third term.