Infantino’s Lebanese Passport: The FIFA Boss Receives Citizenship by Presidential Exception

Infantino lands Lebanese citizenship through presidential exception

FIFA President Gianni Infantino received Lebanese citizenship today at Beirut's Interior Ministry, months after Lebanon granted him nationality by presidential decision.

Infantino, married to Lebanese citizen Lina Al-Ashqar, submitted his papers, had his fingerprints taken, and received the blue Lebanese passport in a ceremony.

He also holds Italian and Swiss citizenship.

In a video broadcast by local channels, Infantino said he is proud and happy to be in Beirut and to have Lebanon as part of his story.

Lebanese law generally prevents women from passing citizenship to foreign husbands or children, but President Aoun exempted Infantino and his family.

Infantino had visited Lebanon in November and met the head of state, who promised to fulfill his wish of obtaining a Lebanese passport.

Punchline: Looks like the transfer window now includes passports, not just players. Punchline two: If football has a universal language, it just learned how to stamp a passport while signing a waiver.