Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has publicly endorsed a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches scheduled to be held in the United States. This stance is a direct response to the conduct of President Donald Trump and his administration, both domestically and on the international stage.
Blatter's Public Support for Boycott Movement
On Monday, Blatter became the latest prominent figure in international football to question the suitability of the United States as a host nation for the prestigious tournament. He expressed his support for the boycott in a post on the social media platform X, aligning himself with comments made by Swiss attorney Mark Pieth in a recent newspaper interview.
Pieth's Controversial Comments
Mark Pieth, a specialist in white-collar crime and an anti-corruption expert who previously chaired the Independent Governance Committee overseeing FIFA reforms, gave a stark warning in his interview with Swiss newspaper Der Bund. He advised fans, "If we consider everything we've discussed, there's only one piece of advice for fans: Stay away from the USA! You'll see it better on TV anyway."
Pieth further suggested that supporters could face immediate deportation if they fail to please officials upon arrival. Blatter quoted these remarks and added his own endorsement, stating, "I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup."
Broader Concerns Within Football Community
The international football community's apprehension stems from multiple aspects of the Trump administration's policies. These include:
- Expansionist postures regarding territories like Greenland
- Controversial travel bans affecting several nations
- Aggressive tactics in handling migrants and immigration enforcement protesters in American cities, particularly Minneapolis
Growing International Opposition
Blatter's position adds significant weight to a growing movement within football circles. Oke Göttlich, a vice president of the German soccer federation, told the Hamburger Morgenpost that the time had come to seriously consider boycotting the World Cup. This sentiment reflects deepening concerns about the political environment in the host country.
Practical Implications for Football Fans
The boycott call comes amid practical difficulties already facing supporters from qualified nations. Two weeks prior to Blatter's statement, the Trump administration announced a travel ban that effectively prevents fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast from following their teams unless they already possess visas. The administration cited "screening and vetting deficiencies" as justification for these restrictions.
Furthermore, supporters from Iran and Haiti, two other nations that have qualified for the tournament, will also be barred from entering the United States under existing travel ban provisions. These practical barriers add substance to the symbolic protest advocated by Blatter and others.
Tournament Context and Timing
The United States is set to co-host the World Cup with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Blatter's intervention at this stage represents a significant challenge to the tournament's organisers and highlights how geopolitical considerations are increasingly intersecting with major sporting events.
Blatter's own history adds complexity to his current stance. He served as president of FIFA, world football's governing body, from 1998 to 2015, resigning amid a corruption investigation. His endorsement of the boycott movement, while controversial given his past, nevertheless amplifies concerns about holding a global celebration of football in a politically charged environment.
