The Somali referee Omar Artan landed back in Mogadishu to a hero’s welcome, ironically wearing a Fifa jersey – the same organisation that, he said and did nothing after he was detained by US border forces and sent home. The World Cup begins on Thursday, and for Fifa the football cannot come quickly enough.
On the eve of the tournament, Gianni Infantino told football fans to “chill and relax” as his organisation faced criticism from the United Nations over immigration issues that have overshadowed the buildup. The Fifa president launched a staunch defence of his 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 tells fans to 'chill' as FIFA faces backlash over referee deportation and ticket prices.”
“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 insisted he had no regrets over awarding hosting rights to the US, which will stage 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches, despite fans from four competing countries being hit with travel bans and Artan being denied entry at Miami airport. The 56-year-old began with a 35-minute monologue urging the media to focus on football before addressing what he described as the three main issues: ticket prices, Iran and immigration.
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?”
The Mirror’s chief sports writer Andy Dunn described Infantino as having made Fifa an embarrassment, noting that the organisation’s statement on Artan read: “Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications. In line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.” Dunn pointed out that this is the same Fifa run by a man who has spent the past year cosying up to Donald Trump, presenting him with a ‘peace prize’, and telling Congress that “the world is welcome in America”.
Last week, Fifa were forced into a U-turn after seemingly making an original U-turn and forbidding people carrying reusable water bottles into stadiums. The scandal of exorbitant ticket prices – both at the point of sale and on Fifa-sanctioned resale sites – has dogged this tournament since the cost of watching matches was first announced. Ludicrously, you can have your name on a big screen at a match – if you put $79 into Fifa coffers.
Infantino concluded his press conference by departing the stage with a wish that his audience enjoy the tournament. For Artan, the dream is over; for Fifa, the game is yet to kick off.