FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued an emotional statement in which he apologized three times to those who, in his view, “missed” the joy of the World Cup due to excessive criticism of the tournament. However, his remarks seemed more like a response to critics than a sincere apology.
Infantino made his apologies on the second slide of a 15-page Instagram post. The message, which was also published on FIFA’s website and other official channels, stated: “To all those who missed our beautiful game, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the tears, the disappointment, and the joy. To all of you who missed how children, babies, grandfathers, grandmothers, and parents came together for the beautiful game, I say: I am sorry that the matches are over, and I am sorry that you missed all this joy and unity. I am sorry that you were so absorbed in hatred and criticism that you missed all this,” Infantino’s post read. Comments on the post were disabled.
Infantino Responds to Criticism of Tournament Organization
One example of criticism against FIFA involved Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the USA due to unfounded claims by American authorities regarding his “connection with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid visa.
Infantino also stressed the importance of recognizing FIFA’s successes. “You mentioned a few people who were denied visas and ignored the millions who were approved visas from all over the world. Because football unites the world, and this was impressively demonstrated this summer,” he said.
Disputes Over Decisions and Relations with UEFA
Infantino’s relationship with Donald Trump has also sparked controversy. After Trump received the new FIFA Peace Prize in December, he acknowledged that he had called Infantino to advocate for American striker Folarin Balogun, whose disqualification for a red card was overturned in an almost unprecedented decision for the World Cup.
Infantino noted that controversial refereeing decisions or unusual disciplinary rulings, including potentially incorrect red or yellow cards or decisions not to disqualify players in certain situations, are common in some of the world’s largest football leagues. While FIFA’s rules state that disqualifications for red cards at World Cups cannot be appealed or overturned, this was precisely what occurred in Balogun’s case. “Interestingly, the same countries that apply these practices are the ones criticizing,” Infantino added, which many interpreted as a dig at the European governing body UEFA.
UEFA publicly stated that FIFA had “crossed a red line” in the incident involving Balogun. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin did not attend the World Cup final, which many viewed as a sign of protest amid the ongoing conflict between FIFA and its largest continental association.
Source: Deutsche Welle
