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A week after the World Cup final, FIFA President Gianni Infantino lashed out at those he considers critics for “spreading hate and false rumors” about the tournament.
Infantino praised FIFA for “delivering the best show on earth” and spoke of the World Cup as a generator of “joy and unity,” in a 900-word statement published in a 15-page post on his Instagram account and on the FIFA website late Sunday.
“I am sorry that you were so consumed by hatred and criticism that you missed it all,” the FIFA president wrote. He directed his comments to “those behind your pens and papers, behind your screens spreading hate and false rumors.”
FIFA and Infantino faced criticism during the World Cup for the denial of entry to the United States for Iranian team officials, a Somali referee, and fans; for the alleged political influence of U.S. President Donald Trump to allow Folarin Balogun to avoid a red card suspension; for unprecedented ticket prices, and for commercialized breaks in the game midway through each half in all 104 matches.
“Every city was packed with fans from all over the world,” Infantino wrote. “While they were celebrating, you were busy sowing seeds of hate.”
“While you hide, we are walking the streets of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, talking to the fans, interacting with the people, and ensuring the safety of everyone.”
Relación tensa con los medios
Infantino has maintained an increasingly strained relationship with the media during the eleventh year of his presidency. His press conference on the eve of the tournament in Mexico City was the first with full international media attendance since March 2023.
The previous such press conference in Rwanda, following his re-election by acclamation of FIFA member federations, saw Infantino ask his audience: “Why are you so mean?”
In Mexico City last month, Infantino suggested that critics should “calm down, relax.”
And he is being scrutinized by some in the U.S. Congress. Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Infantino on Sunday requesting documents detailing the ties between FIFA and the Trump administration. A FIFA representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.
La FIFA uniendo a Estados Unidos e Irán
The possibility of Iran playing at least three matches in the United States was a key issue before the tournament, and the team made a last-minute change to hold their training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, instead of Tucson, Arizona.
“Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict,” Infantino noted in his statement. “While you spread hate, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war.”
Among the fans who were denied visas to enter the United States was Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the famous fan from Congo known for his statue, while the country was facing an Ebola virus outbreak. He attended a match in Mexico.
“You mentioned the few people who were denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all over the world,” Infantino wrote. “Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas.”
Infantino defiende la decisión sobre Balogun
Regarding the repercussions of the red card to U.S. forward Balogun, Infantino maintained that “subsequent decisions not to sanction players in certain situations are routine.”
FIFA did not overturn the red card for Balogun, which does happen in domestic club competitions, but took the more unusual step of deferring the one-match suspension during a probationary period. FIFA has not yet published the written verdict from its disciplinary judge.
“To those who spend your time and energy hating us, please take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray, or watch a soccer match and truly observe the faces, the eyes, the emotions,” Infantino wrote.
He closed his statement with: “Much love to all.”
[Publicidad]