FIFA’s Infantino targets critics he says spread ‘hate and false rumors’ about World Cup
Infantino defends tournament amidst criticism
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has responded to critics of the 2026 World Cup, accusing them of spreading “hate and false rumours” about the tournament. In a statement published on his Instagram account and FIFA’s website, Infantino defended the event as a success that brought “joy and togetherness” to millions of fans worldwide. He stated that critics were “so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.”
The tournament, which concluded recently, was won by Spain and hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Infantino’s comments came less than a week after FIFA announced an investigation into an on-pitch altercation between Argentina and Spain players following the final match in New Jersey.
Addressing specific concerns
During the World Cup, FIFA and Infantino faced various criticisms. These included issues related to US visa restrictions, which reportedly affected officials from Iran and a Somali referee. The Iranian team, despite being knocked out in the group stage, experienced a turbulent tournament, including a forced relocation of their training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, due to conflict in the Middle East. They also encountered logistical challenges travelling for their group matches.
Another point of contention was the handling of Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case. The US striker’s automatic one-match ban after a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina was suspended following intervention from US President Donald Trump. Infantino, however, argued that many refereeing and disciplinary decisions criticized during the tournament are common in major leagues globally, noting that “potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide.”
Unity through football
Infantino highlighted the participation of countries facing political tensions, domestic crises, and health challenges as evidence of football’s ability to transcend divisions. He mentioned that Iran entered the United States without incident, emphasizing that “football is about peace. It’s not about politics.” He also pointed out that while a few individuals were denied visas, millions from around the world were approved, demonstrating how football unites the world.
The FIFA president also referred to the participation of countries like Haiti, stating that “when football brought Haiti to the world, a country that many cannot or choose not to visit, it might be time to set aside your pens and keyboards and show some respect to the teams that played.” These remarks were in contrast to comments made by Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, who described his team as the “most oppressed” at the World Cup. Earlier this month, a human rights group lodged a complaint against Infantino with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), alleging breaches of political neutrality due to his support for President Trump; however, the IOC rejected the complaint.
Infantino concluded his statement by addressing those “behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumors,” asserting that FIFA is “on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world.”
Source: nanaimonewsnow.com
