Infantino slams World Cup critics for ‘spreading hate’

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly rebuked critics of the recent World Cup, asserting that the tournament brought "only joy and happiness" and that detractors were motivated by "hate and false rumours." In a detailed open letter, Infantino urged those who criticized the event to pause and reflect, suggesting their negativity blinded them to the positive aspects of the competition.

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Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.

Infantino emphasized the tournament's success in terms of safety and security, reporting "100% safety and security" and the absence of violence. He contrasted this with the pre-tournament anxieties surrounding high prices, geopolitical tensions, and extreme weather. The FIFA president also defended the organization's decision to grant visas to participants from countries facing significant internal or international conflicts, such as Iran and the Democratic Republic of Congo, framing football as a force for peace.

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While you spread hatred, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war. Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict.

However, Infantino's positive assessment stood in stark contrast to the sentiments expressed by Iran's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, who described his team as the "most oppressed" at the World Cup, with star striker Mehdi Taremi calling their experience a "disaster." Furthermore, Infantino's defense of FIFA's decisions came as European football's governing body, UEFA, criticized a ruling that allowed US striker Folarin Balogun to play after a suspension, calling the decision "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable."

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The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It’s not about politics.