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FIFA President Infantino: 'Sometimes it's best to relax' amid World Cup controversies
🇳🇴 Norway /Sports

FIFA President Infantino: 'Sometimes it's best to relax' amid World Cup controversies

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed issues surrounding the World Cup in the USA, including the denied entry of a Somali referee.
  • Infantino defended FIFA's inability to control all entry decisions, stating security is paramount and decisions must be respected.
  • He also responded to criticism regarding Iran's participation and travel restrictions affecting fans, asserting that getting Iran to play was a significant achievement.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged the unfortunate situation surrounding the denied entry of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan to the United States for the World Cup, stating, "It is unfortunate, what happened with Omar. At the same time, we do not have control over everything."

It is unfortunate, what happened with Omar. At the same time, we do not have control over everything. We try, we talk, we discuss and then we see. Sometimes it is perhaps best to relax and 'chill' a bit. We work with everything and try to solve everything.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino addresses the denied entry of a Somali referee to the USA for the World Cup.

Speaking at a press conference in Mexico City, Infantino addressed several contentious issues ahead of the tournament's opening match. He suggested that sometimes it is best to "relax and chill a bit" when dealing with complex situations, emphasizing that FIFA is working to resolve issues. However, he also stressed that entry decisions are handled by the host country's authorities, implying FIFA's limited direct control.

Would you think it normal if FIFA dictated to the British authorities about who they should and should not let into the country?

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino responds to criticism about FIFA's influence on host country entry policies.

When questioned by a BBC journalist about potential embarrassment over the circumstances, including Iran's relocation of its World Cup base and fan travel restrictions, Infantino countered by asking if FIFA should dictate U.S. immigration policies. He stated, "Our world is an aggressive world and security is put above all. One must respect the decisions that are made."

Our world is an aggressive world and security is put above all. One must respect the decisions that are made.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino comments on the prioritization of security in international events.

Infantino highlighted the achievement of Iran participating in the World Cup, saying, "I don't know who else would have managed to do that." He also dismissed any regrets about the USA co-hosting, referencing past challenges from three and a half years prior in Qatar. The FIFA president maintained that while one always hopes for a problem-free event, these are the issues that must be managed.

No, I regret nothing.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino answers a question about regretting the USA co-hosting the World Cup.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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