{"id":5639,"date":"2026-07-28T06:36:52","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T06:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=5639"},"modified":"2026-07-28T06:36:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T06:36:52","slug":"fifas-infantino-targets-critics-he-says-spread-hate-and-false-rumors-about-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=5639","title":{"rendered":"FIFA\u2019s Infantino targets critics he says spread \u2018hate and false rumors\u2019 about World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP Sports Writer<\/strong><\/p>\n

GENEVA (AP) \u2014 One week after the\u00a0World Cup\u00a0final, FIFA President Gianni Infantino attacked perceived critics for \u201cspreading hate and false rumors\u201d about the tournament.<\/p>\n

Read more Why Carson Whisenhunt\u2019s next two months will be worth watching for SF Giants<\/a><\/p>\n

Infantino praised FIFA for \u201cdelivering the best show in the world\u201d and spoke of the World Cup bringing \u201cjoy and togetherness,\u201d in a 900-word statement published across a\u00a015-page post on his Instagram\u00a0account and on\u00a0FIFA\u2019s website late Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,\u201d the FIFA leader wrote, addressing his comments to \u201cthose behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumors.\u201d<\/p>\n

FIFA and Infantino faced criticism during the World Cup for\u00a0Iran team officials, a\u00a0Somali referee\u00a0and\u00a0fans being denied entry\u00a0to the United States; alleged political influence by\u00a0U.S. President Donald Trump in letting Folarin Balogun\u00a0avoid a ban for a red card; unprecedented\u00a0high ticket prices\u00a0and\u00a0commercialized breaks in play\u00a0midway through each half of all 104 games.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery city was packed with fans from all around the globe,\u201d Infantino wrote. \u201cWhile they celebrated, you were busy planting seeds of hate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile you hide, we are exploring the streets of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, talking with fans, engaging with people, and ensuring everyone\u2019s safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

Testy media relations<\/h4>\n

Infantino has an increasingly\u00a0testy relationship with media\u00a0during the 11th year of his presidency. His\u00a0eve-of-tournament news conference\u00a0in Mexico City was his first with a full gathering of international media since March 2023.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

The previous such news conference in Rwanda, after his\u00a0reelection by acclaim\u00a0from FIFA member federations, saw Infantino ask his audience: \u201cWhy are you so mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

In Mexico City last month, Infantino suggested critics should \u201cchill, relax.\u201d<\/p>\n

And he\u2019s coming under scrutiny from some in the U.S. Congress. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, sent Infantino a letter on Sunday seeking documents detailing ties between FIFA and the Trump administration. A representative for FIFA didn\u2019t immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.<\/p>\n

Read more Sonora man arrested on suspicion of setting Dove Fire<\/a><\/p>\n

FIFA uniting the U.S. and Iran<\/h4>\n

Iran\u2019s ability to play at least three games in the U.S. was a key pretournament issue, and the squad made a late\u00a0switch to a training camp in Tijuana, Mexico\u00a0instead of Tucson, Arizona.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIran entered the United States without incident or conflict,\u201d Infantino noted in his statement. \u201cWhile you spread hatred, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans denied visas to enter the U.S. included Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the celebrated statue supporter of Congo which was dealing with an Ebola virus outbreak. He attended\u00a0one game in Mexico.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mentioned the few people denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all parts of the world,\u201d Infantino wrote. \u201cCountries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Infantino defends Balogun decision<\/h4>\n

On fallout from the red card for U.S. forward Balogun, Infantino claimed \u201csubsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine.\u201d<\/p>\n

FIFA did not overturn Balogun\u2019s red card, which does occur in domestic club competitions, but instead took the more unusual step of deferring the one-game ban for a probationary period. FIFA has yet to publish the written verdict of its disciplinary judge.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo those spending their time and energy hating us, please take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray, or watch a football match and truly observe the faces, the eyes, the emotions,\u201d Infantino wrote.<\/p>\n

Read more Stanford becomes first school to organize a player-led College Football Players Association chapter<\/a><\/p>\n

He signed off his statement: \u201cMuch love to all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

AP soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer and AP World Cup coverage<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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