Fifa President Gianni Infantino has strongly defended the recent World Cup, accusing detractors of 'spreading hate and false narratives' in an open letter published on Monday. The tournament, won by Spain and co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was hailed by Infantino as a triumph of unity, safety, and inclusion, despite facing significant criticism throughout its duration.
The 56-year-old asserted that those critical of the event were 'so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all'. He contrasted their perceived negativity with Fifa's efforts on the 'front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world', claiming the tournament experienced 'no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness'.
Fifa had faced scrutiny over several issues, including US visa restrictions impacting supporters and officials from various nations, alongside concerns regarding teams from conflict-affected regions. One notable point of contention was Fifa's decision to suspend an automatic one-match ban for US striker Folarin Balogun following intervention from former US President Donald Trump. Officiating decisions during Argentina's last-16 victory over Egypt also drew strong criticism, particularly from Egypt manager Hossam Hassan.
Addressing the officiating controversies, Infantino stated, '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.' He added, 'It's curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.'
Furthermore, the Fifa President tackled concerns surrounding travel restrictions. Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was reportedly barred from entering the US despite holding a valid visa, while Iran's national team faced difficult travel limitations imposed by the US government amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. Infantino insisted, 'Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict. The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It’s not about politics,' adding that 'Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas.'
This latest letter from Infantino is anticipated to provoke further debate and potentially renewed criticism, echoing sentiments from his controversial 'Today I feel...' speech on the eve of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.