Gianni Infantino has turned FIFA into an embarrassment as the World Cup descends into chaos. The banning of Somali referee Omar Artan and exorbitant ticket prices are two controversies that have plagued the governing body ahead of the tournament.
When referee Omar Artan landed back in Somalia, he received a hero's welcome. Ironically, he was wearing a FIFA jersey. This is ironic because FIFA gave him the prospect of fulfilling a lifelong dream but then remained silent when it was taken away. The World Cup begins on Thursday, and for FIFA, the football cannot come soon enough.
Artan maintained his dignity throughout his ordeal, but his experience—detained by US border forces and sent home—has been another embarrassment for FIFA. However, FIFA and Gianni Infantino are not easily embarrassed. They have a slogan: 'Football Unites The World,' and Infantino is fond of repeating it.
But when football does not unite the world—when Africa's best referee is refused entry to a host country, or when Iran feels compelled to move its base from the US to Mexico—FIFA stays silent. Their statement on the Artan decision read: 'FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes... a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa.'
This is the same FIFA run by a man who has cosied up to Donald Trump, made the Oval Office his favourite photo spot, presented Trump with a 'peace prize,' and told Congress that 'the world is welcome in America.' Yet they cannot get involved in the decision to stop Artan from doing his job on the biggest stage?
Last week, FIFA was forced into a U-turn after initially forbidding reusable water bottles in stadiums. The scandal of exorbitant ticket prices has also dogged the tournament. This is shaping up to be the ultimate rip-off World Cup. Fans can even pay $79 to have their name on a big screen.
Each game will be preceded by a bloated 'fan-centric' ceremony involving all 52 players. Ian Wright posted: 'Every few hours it's another story... This is a World Cup of chaos.' Wright is right, and it hasn't even started yet. For FIFA, the moment it starts cannot come soon enough.
