RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 3 sourcesGianni Infantino hit out at critics for “spreading hate” at this summer’s World Cup as he went on a Donald Trump -like rant claiming the tournament as an unparalleled success.
Fifa president Infantino has faced intense scrutiny, including calls to resign , after staging a World Cup plagued by controversy .
This peaked when USA striker Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban was suspended after Infantino received a call from US president Trump demanding a review , which made him available for the co-hosts’ last-16 clash with Belgium.
But this was far from the only point of contention, with the USA’s treatment of Iran, the refused entry of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan and the exorbitant price of tickets often taking focus away from on-pitch matters.
Gianni Infantino has gone on an extraordinary tirade against his World Cup critics (Getty Images)
Infantino has now disregarded this criticism as “hate and false rumours” in an extraordinary essay posted on Instagram on Sunday night.
Infantino wrote: “To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness. Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.
“To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at Fifa are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world.
“While you hide, we are exploring the streets of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, talking with fans, engaging with people, and ensuring everyone’s safety. While you divide, we unite. People came together as families, as fans, as one.”
Infantino said that the tournament experienced “no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!”
He continued: “Seven million people from over 200 countries enjoyed the tournament across 16 fantastic cities and stadiums: zero incidents, zero hostility, zero violence, just joy, emotions, happiness, unity and togetherness. All were safe, secure, and happy.”
Infantino thanked the three host countries, the police forces and volunteers for their efforts during the tournament, before addressing some of the tournament’s major controversies and claiming them as wins for Fifa.
He wrote Fifa “worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war” while critics were “busy planting seeds of hate”, saying “Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict”.
This is despite the fact many “integral” members of Iran’s coaching staff were denied visas, while they had to change their training base to Mexico at the last-minute due to entry restrictions into the United States, which saw them only allowed in the country on matchdays.
Infantino said ‘Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict’ (Getty)
He insisted the issue of a “few people [being] denied visas” was insignificant compared to the “millions who were approved, from all parts of the world”, saying: “Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas.”
He added: “When football brought Haiti to the world, a country that many cannot or choose not to visit, it might be the time to set aside your pens and keyboards and show some respect to the teams that played with their hearts, that competed hard, the countries that contributed, the fans who travelled, and the children from everywhere who want to dream big. Maybe it’s time to show some love.”
Infantino then offered further justification for Balogun’s suspended ban, which saw Fifa take action through a little-known clause in their regulations following Trump’s call, despite the World Cup not having any official avenue for red-card appeals.
Donald Trump asked for a “review” of Folarin Balogun’s red card (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)
He said: “Indeed, ‘arguable’ referees’ decisions or ‘strange’ disciplinary rulings such as for instance potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decision not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide.
“It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.”
His rant ended by suggesting that Fifa deserved greater praise for “the most outstanding” World Cup and called on his critics to “find love and peace where the people behind you couldn’t”.
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