Infantino Blasts World Cup Critics in 900-Word Post After 104-Game Tournament
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 27
Infantino Blasts World Cup Critics in 900-Word Post After 104-Game Tournament
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 27
Summary
One week after the World Cup final, Gianni Infantino used a 900-word statement on Instagram and FIFA’s website to accuse critics of spreading “hate and false rumors” about the tournament.
Infantino defended FIFA’s handling of the 104-game event by pointing to packed host cities, fan safety and broad visa approvals, while insisting Iran entered the United States without incident.
His statement pushed back against criticism over denied entries for some fans and officials, high ticket prices, in-game commercial breaks and FIFA’s unusual deferral of Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban.
The broadside underscores Infantino’s increasingly tense relationship with media in his 11th year as FIFA president, after earlier telling critics to “chill, relax” and now to “reflect, meditate, pray, or watch a football match.”