FS1 to Present One-Hour Special Report Featuring Exclusive Interview with New FIFA President Infantino

On Wednesday, April 13 FS1 airs THE FIFA PRESIDENCY: GIANNI INFANTINO, a one-hour special featuring the first English-language interview with new FIFA president Gianni Infantino since the day of his February 26 election, replacing the embattled Sepp Blatter. The special is scheduled to air at 5:00 PM ET following FS1’s coverage of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal between Lionel Messi’s Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

The special focuses on an exclusive interview conducted by FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas one day earlier in San Francisco. Topics expected to be covered include Infantino’s plans for FIFA reform, his reaction to his name being included in the “Panama Papers” and his thoughts on gender equality in world soccer.

The show also features a panel of FOX Sports soccer analysts reacting to the interview and discussing the state of FIFA and the world game. The show is hosted by Rob Stone, who is joined by Alexi Lalas, Warren Barton, Fernando Fiore, Brad Friedel and Grant Wahl.

“With so many major issues surfacing right now in world soccer, many of which are making major headlines here in America, the timing couldn’t be better for Mr. Infantino’s first English language interview,” said FOX Sports Head of Business Operations David Nathanson. “While viewers know FS1 as the place to go for the biggest soccer events in the world from this summer’s Copa America Centenario to the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups, we are also committed to being a leader in comprehensive coverage of the issues surrounding the game at such a crucial time for the sport, as viewers saw recently with FOX Sports being the only place to go for wall-to-wall coverage of the historic FIFA election.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: THE FIFA PRESIDENCY: GIANNI INFANTINO will be presented in its entirety immediately following FOX Sports’ Champions League quarterfinal match should coverage extend past 5:00 PM ET.