The FIFA World Cup is about 40 days away, but much of the security cost surrounding the event remains a mystery.
However, one cost will not be put on taxpayers’ shoulders.
Global News learned that FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s people wanted a full motorcade escort for him while he is in Vancouver so that he can travel without disruption and go through traffic lights.
Sources say that the request went to the Vancouver police and was denied.
In a statement to Global News on Tuesday, a FIFA spokesperson said that the “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.
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“FIFA does not comment on transportation and security protocols involving the FIFA President and would like to thank law enforcement in Vancouver for their ongoing support this week.”
A statement from Vancouver Mayor Ken Simms’ office reads in part, “Any transportation arrangements that are made will be appropriate, measured, and consistent with how Vancouver safely hosts major international events.”
The cost of security for the event remains a mystery, however.
B.C.’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Nina Krieger, told reporters on Monday that the province has been in conversation with the federal government and expects to have an update about their contribution “in short order.”
She said she was not able to say what the provincial government’s contribution will be.
What is clear is that the World Cup matches will have the largest police deployment in Vancouver’s history.
“The primary focus is, remember, is the safety not only of those players and participants coming, but of the general public and, you know, an increase in tourism that comes to the regions,” Dave Jones, Vancouver’s head of safety and security for FIFA, told Global News.
Jones said the unprecedented security will include officers from the VPD, RCMP, plus Calgary and Edmonton’s municipal forces.
It looks like someone got an excort out to UBC today. 10-15 motorcycle police involved. Rolling up along ng 16th stopping traffic. The a group of 3-4 SUVs, 2 of which were police/RCMP go by. Waste of taxpayer $$$$
And yet I have just seen two motorcades with police stopping traffic at intersections, going west on 16th towards UBC.
Does anyone notice that Nina Kreiger always looks like she has a rod up her ass? She needs to smile and buy a personality.
TRY WALKING, GOOD FOR YOU
Who does this guy and FIFA think they are. They are just a soccer organization with visions of grandeur and self importance. The World Cup used to be an achievement to qualify for but now FIFA has opened it up so just about any country can get in. Make no mistake with FIFA it’s all about the money and nothing else. I watch a lot of soccer but will not spend any time and money on this farce of a competition
What a Joke !! and again Vancouver will fall for this rich money grab . so sick of entitled rich people.
FIFI Should be paying their own security cost along with any other costs, 90% of tax payers can not even afford a ticket let along being asked to pay for some ceo, bills utter garbage shame on him
Arrogant FIFA wants a motorcade for organizing a soccer game. what a jerk organization. Boycott FIFA. Take a cab or skytrain. He’s in a hurry to get to dinner boohooo
Head of FIFA gave Trump a testicle massage.
Man thinks he’s royalty or what. Motorcade for a millionaire. Unreal. Self entitled rich boar. BOYCOTT FIFA!
Of course we can’t have a day in the Global BC comment section without some white trash idiot saying something about Indigenous people
Sonny D Juice – A white person calling someone entitled. Now that’s actually funny
The sense of entitlement is MIND BOGGLING. You’d think he was indigenous. Nuts.
Let’s be honest here the world cup is not like the olympics, We have 7 games in BC none of them have any of the tournaments big teams so where do people think all these tourists will come from ? Turkey, Qatar, Egypt will these countries bring thousands of tourists ?
It’s a lost leader were in for millions of dollars in costs, it will take years to pay back the overruns.
What do those of us who live in outlying areas get out of this? We live many hours away and it wouldn’t be worth driving that far and in hopes of seeing something worthwhile only to get a tax increase because those in the lower mainland want this. With the cost of gas and accommodation, maybe they could’ve worked out a better system than this. The government needs to be in better touch with it, taxpayers and supporters.
I sincerly hope that all of these tourists that are coming take home a Zombie or two for a souveneir.
Lol send him right through East Hastings in an Uber
what a waste of tax payer dollars, this is the problem with government at all levels, spending my money on useless events,
why does fifi not pay for their own security. many tax payers can not even afford to go,
Who does this guy think he is?