FIFA President Gianni Infantino is firing back at those who criticized the recently completed World Cup, charging them with spreading hate and false stories while defending the tournament as a celebration of unity, safety, and inclusion.
In an open letter released Monday, Infantino, 56, said critics had failed to appreciate the joy and togetherness felt by millions of fans worldwide who watched the competition, which was won by Spain and hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“You were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,” he wrote.
“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,” Infantino continued.
“We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!”
FIFA came under fire on several fronts during the tournament, including controversy over U.S. visa restrictions that blocked supporters and officials from certain countries, as well as concerns involving teams from regions experiencing conflict.
The letter also followed scrutiny over how FIFA handled the Folarin Balogun disciplinary case. After Balogun received a red card in a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the automatic one-match ban was suspended following the intervention of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Refereeing decisions during Argentina’s match against Egypt also sparked considerable debate among fans and commentators.
Although Infantino did not call out any specific situations by name, he argued that the kinds of refereeing and disciplinary decisions that drew criticism during the tournament are common occurrences in competitions around the globe.
“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 wrote. “It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.”
On the subject of visa controversies, Infantino pointed to the participation of nations dealing with political tensions, domestic crises, and health challenges as proof of soccer’s power to rise above divisions.
Iran’s participation came amid ongoing tensions with the United States, while issues surrounding Haiti’s domestic crisis and an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo also drew attention to visa and travel hurdles. Somali World Cup referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the U.S. despite holding a valid visa.
“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,” Infantino wrote.
“Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas. 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.”
