FIFA chief Gianni Infantino launches rant over World Cup ‘hate’ | Football | Sport

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has brutally hit out at his critics and urged them to “rise above hate”. The 56-year-old was regularly blasted for several issues that occured at the World Cup and he has subsequently penned a staggering 886-word open letter in response.

Infantino appeared to attend almost every game at the tournament with cameras regularly cutting to him throughout. Aside from his appearances at matches, Infantino was also in the headlines but for all the wrong reasons with multiple World Cup problems emerging.

Those started even before the tournament began with Somali referee Omar Artan having his visa rejected while Iran faced severe problems getting into the United States. Undoubtedly the biggest controversy was the overturning of Folarin Balogun’s red card after US President Donald Trump intervened.

A furore over vastly inflated ticket costs and the contentious introduction of hydration breaks in each half were also significant talking points throughout the tournament, which took place across the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Even the World Cup final was tarnished by the conduct of certain Argentina players and coaching personnel in the aftermath of Spain’s victory. Infantino was present alongside Trump at the final in New Jersey a week ago, but appears to have erased the distasteful scenes from his recollection.

In an 886-word open letter posted on his personal Instagram account and FIFA’s website, Infantino addresses those who were “so consumed by hate and criticism” that they “missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game” at “the best show in the world”.

He also stated that “zero incidents, zero hostility, zero violence, just joy, emotions, happiness, unity, and togetherness” and that “virtually all global celebrities from music, movies, entertainment, and sports attended. Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict” and that “countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas”.

“You mentioned the few people denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all parts of the world. Because football unites the world, and it was demonstrated impressively this summer,” he added.

Infantino then appears to defend the overturning of Balogun’s red card as the type of occurrence that happens regularly in other leagues.

He states: “Your dissatisfaction with a few decisions made by the competent authorities is understandable, but please refer to public records: such decisions are common in some of the most important leagues.

“Indeed, ‘arguable’ referees’ decisions or ‘strange’ disciplinary rulings such as for instance potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide. It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.”

He then rounded off with a pointed message directed at his critics: “To the pens and papers, to all the screens, may you find love and peace where the people behind you couldn’t. May you find peace; we at FIFA have found ours and we deliver it, by delivering the most outstanding FIFA World Cup. May football rise above all hate.”