Gianni Infantino has sparked fresh controversy by telling football fans to “chill and relax” amid mounting criticism over Fifa’s handling of the World Cup. The Fifa president launched a staunch defence of the tournament, brushing aside concerns over ticket prices, visa problems and the exclusion of a Somali referee from entering the United States.
Infantino faced particular anger over his comments after the United Nations called for an American rethink on immigration following the denial of entry to referee Omar Artan at Miami airport. The Fifa president insisted the US had the right to control its borders, saying: “We don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth. We have to respect that we are not kings of the world.”
During a 35-minute monologue, Infantino urged the media to focus on football and claimed credit for securing Iran’s participation in the tournament, despite the team being forced to move its training camp to Mexico after many staff were denied US visas. He thanked Donald Trump for his engagement, saying “without his engagement it would have been impossible”.
On ticket pricing, Infantino defended the $60 entry fee as the lowest of any American sport in playoff phases, arguing that cheaper tickets would simply fuel the black market. He stressed that every dollar generated goes back into funding football in poorer nations such as South Sudan and Bhutan.
