Why Lucy Bronze’s handshake sparked fresh criticism of Infantino

The reason Lucy Bronze appeared to snub FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s handshake after the 2023 Women’s World Cup final has become a flashpoint. Footage gathered by Pink News shows Bronze briefly touching Infantino’s hand before moving on to shake other officials, and she has not commented publicly. The incident followed Infantino’s own remarks earlier that week that were described by critics as patronising toward the women’s game.

Infantino’s reputation has been under pressure throughout 2026. The 56‑year‑old has faced backlash over a failed attempt to sell World Cup stakes, and his close relationship with US President Donald Trump has drawn particular scrutiny. Trump was awarded FIFA’s newly‑created Peace Prize at the 2026 World Cup draw in December, adding to the controversy.

Ticket pricing for the upcoming World Cup has been labelled a “monumental betrayal” by Football Supporters Europe, and the aborted FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal sparked a threat from UEFA’s 55 member associations to boycott future tournaments. After the Folarin Balogun scandal, Infantino was already being called a “lame‑duck” president, and his hopes of securing a fourth term now hang in the balance.

Bronze’s own career remains stellar. She has earned 148 caps for England since 2013, scoring 22 goals, and has played for clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona and Chelsea. The 34‑year‑old defender is widely regarded as one of the best of her generation.

Robin Mumford is a journalist for GiveMeSport, covering the Champions League and Premier League. He joined the outlet in April 2024 after serving as Deputy Editor‑in‑Chief at VAVEL, where he produced press‑conference content and game reports. Mumford also won an award for his role as lead editor of the Women’s Football section and has reported from stadiums including Anfield, Trafford and Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park, as well as the 2023 men’s and women’s Champions League finals in Eindhoven and Istanbul.

The story appears on GiveMeSport’s US news platform, where readers can sign up here. The editor notes that the handshake episode adds another layer to the ongoing debate about men, women and equality in football, and it underscores why the issue remains front‑and‑center for fans across the globe.