Vancouver police reject FIFA's request for Infantino motorcade escort

FIFA wanted its president, Gianni Infantino, to be given a level-four motorcade escort while in Vancouver this week for the governing body's annual congress, but local police declined the request.

A level-four motorcade, which would've granted Infantino's convoy the ability to halt traffic and pass through red lights, is what a U.S. president could expect to receive while visiting Canada, according to Jordan Armstrong of Global News.

Level four is one below what the Pope would receive for such a visit, Armstrong adds.

"Formal motorcades where traffic is stopped are reserved for heads of state," Don Chapman, the Vancouver Police Department's deputy chief constable, said in a statement provided to The Athletic. "As the FIFA executive (does) not meet Internationally Protected Person (IPP) standards that would warrant such an escort (closing roads, intersections, not adhering to traffic devices, etc.), the request was declined."

FIFA said the request was made without Infantino's knowledge or input.

"The FIFA President was not aware of, or involved in, any requests with authorities in relation to his transportation and security matters for the 76th FIFA Congress," the governing body said in a statement.

FIFA added, "In line with previous arrangements for such events, FWC26 Canada, as local organizers, liaised with authorities requesting support in relation to all delegates, guests, and stakeholders."

It's unclear how costly those security measures would've been for local taxpayers had they been granted.

"Any transportation arrangements that are made will be appropriate, measured, and consistent with how Vancouver safely hosts major international events," a spokesperson for the city's mayor's office said in a statement released to The Athletic.

The FIFA Congress takes place Thursday in Vancouver, one of the host cities for this summer's World Cup, which is being jointly staged by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Vancouver's BC Place will host seven World Cup games, including two of Canada's Group B matches and a pair of knockout fixtures later in the tournament.