TORONTO (AP) — A request for a police escort for FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Vancouver, British Columbia for a FIFA conference has been denied, Vancouver police confirmed Wednesday.
“Official motorcades where traffic is stopped are reserved for heads of state,” Deputy Commissioner Don Chapman said in a statement.
“The request was denied because FIFA officials did not meet the International Protected Persons (IPP) criteria (such as closing roads or intersections or not complying with traffic regulations) that would justify such an escort,” Chapman said.
FIFA did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Soccer’s governing body will hold meetings this week in Vancouver, one of 16 venues for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, from June 11 to July 19.
The FIFA General Assembly, which will bring together representatives from all member countries, is scheduled for Thursday.
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