Infantino Hits Back at World Cup Critics: 'You Spread Hate'

Zurich, Switzerland – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has launched a strong defense of the recent World Cup, directly confronting critics and accusing them of spreading "hat" and "false rumors" through their writing and media platforms.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Infantino asserted that while critics sit behind their screens, FIFA is on the "front line" delivering "the world's greatest show." He claimed the tournament was a resounding success, characterized by "100 percent security and joy." According to Infantino, seven million people from over 200 countries experienced the World Cup across 16 host cities, resulting in "zero incidents, zero hostility, and zero violence – just joy, emotions, happiness, unity, and togetherness."

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To you who sit behind pens and paper, behind screens and spread hate and false rumors: while you sit there, we in FIFA are on the front line, delivering the world's greatest show.

Infantino addressed several controversies surrounding the event. He downplayed the impact of former U.S. President Donald Trump's entry ban, which affected supporters from Iran, Haiti, Senegal, and Ivory Coast, stating that Iran's arrival in the U.S. was "without incidents or conflicts." He also highlighted the Iranian national team's matches as moments of unity, where chants against them were replaced by a "common song."

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Seven million people from over 200 countries experienced the World Cup in 16 fantastic host cities and at the stadiums. The result was zero incidents, zero hostility and zero violence – just joy, emotions, happiness, unity and togetherness.

The FIFA president also dismissed concerns about deaths during World Cup celebrations in Mexico and the denial of entry to a Somali referee. Regarding reports of FIFA increasing ticket prices, Infantino's statement implied these were part of the critics' "false rumors." He concluded by urging critics to find "peace and love," contrasting it with FIFA's own success in delivering "the most outstanding FIFA World Cup ever."

Infantino's remarks come amidst ongoing scrutiny of FIFA's operations and the circumstances under which World Cups are awarded and managed. Despite his claims of a flawless event, various reports detailed significant controversies, including allegations of ticket resale irregularities being investigated by New Jersey's Attorney General and a formal complaint planned by the Norwegian Football Federation concerning alleged U.S. government interference.

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While you spread hate, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war with each other. Iran entered the USA without incidents or conflicts. When the Iranian national team started playing, all the chants against them were silenced and replaced by one common song.