On the eve of the tournament opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed concerns surrounding Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was barred from entering the United States this week despite holding a valid visa.
Infantino told football fans to 'chill and relax' over the incident. '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,' he said.
'It’s important sometimes to chill, relax. We work on everything. Sometimes screaming and shouting does not find a solution,' Infantino added during a press conference.
The FIFA president’s comments come as a response to critics questioning the organization’s handling of the situation. The referee’s denial has sparked debate about visa policies and FIFA’s influence.
