Proceedings at congress, held at Moscow’s Expo-centre on the outskirts of the city centre came to an unexpected halt halfway through as Infantino announced the arrival of Vladimir Putin. Most of the hall rose to their feet to greet the arrival of the Russian president but the FA delegation, led by chief executive Martin Glenn remained seated. Putin offered little alternative to David Gill, the English Fifa council member, but to shake his hand as he made his way along the line of those on the stage.

Eight years ago when his country won the 2018 World Cup in Zurich, the Russian president spoke mainly in English as he thanked the audience “from the bottom of my heart”. He struck a different, more serious tone this time round although he was full of praise for Infantino, calling him a “good front man and true fighter”. Infantino responded in kind thanking Putin “on behalf of the entire world of football... from the bottom of our heart a big thank you for your engagement for your passion, for really making us feel part of the same team".

Putin closed his speech by saying, in English, “welcome to Russia”.

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