Gianni Infantino told football fans to “chill and relax” on the eve of the World Cup, while Fifa faced criticism from the United Nations over the immigration issues that have overshadowed the buildup to the tournament.
The Fifa president launched a staunch defence of his organisation’s handling of the tournament, particularly regarding ticket prices and visa problems, and claimed no one else would have been able to secure the participation of Iran, who are at war with one of the three host nations, the United States.
Infantino insisted he had no regrets over Fifa awarding hosting rights to the USA, who will stage 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches, despite fans from four competing countries being hit with travel bans and the Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry at Miami airport this week.
“We don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth,” Infantino said. “We have to respect that we are not kings of the world, who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation that does as much as we can. It’s important sometimes to chill, relax. We work on everything. Sometimes screaming and shouting does not find a solution.”
Infantino began with a 35-minute monologue in which he urged the media to focus on football before addressing what he described as the three main issues: ticket prices, Iran and immigration to the United States.
The 56-year-old, who has been widely criticised for Fifa’s lack of transparency, then gave lengthy answers to the handful of questions that were permitted over a further 40 minutes before departing the stage with a wish that his audience enjoy the tournament.
Artan’s exclusion led the UN to call for an American rethink on immigration earlier in the day, but Infantino defended the US’s right to control its borders despite having previously promised that this would be the most inclusive World Cup ever.
“In 2035 we hope the Women’s World Cup will be in the United Kingdom,” he said. “Would you find it normal that Fifa would dictate to the British government who to let into the country?
“Unfortunately we live in an aggressive world and security goes above everything.
“When I say chill I don’t mean sit and do nothing. I mean trust us that we are trying to find solutions. Sometimes we are successful, sometimes we are not.”
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