FIFA president Gianni Infantino has launched a blistering attack on the media for “spreading hate and false rumours” and highlighted the success of the 2026 World Cup.
Infantino lashed out at those “behind their pens and papers, behind their screens” and lauded his organisation for “delivering the most outstanding World Cup”.
The World Cup came to an end last weekend with Spain beating Argentina 1-0 in a final marred by the South Americans’ appalling behaviour in New Jersey.
It was a disappointing end to a tournament that featured plenty of controversies, from Iran’s restricted movement around the United States to the decision to suspend a red card handed out to US striker Folarin Balogun following the intervention of Donald Trump.
In a statement on FIFA’s website, Infantino wrote: “To everyone who missed our beautiful game, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the crying, the deception, and the joy. To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness. Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.
“To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world.
“While you divide, we unite. Every city was packed with fans from all around the globe. While they celebrated, you were busy planting seeds of hate.”
Infantino claims FIFA united Iran and the USA
Iran exited at the group stage and, afterwards, complained of being “oppressed” following a US ruling that meant they could only fly into the country from their training base in Mexico the day before a game and then leave immediately after.
The US has been bombing Iran for several months and the country’s homeland security secretary Markwayne Mullin was delighted when they failed to reach the round of 32.
At the time he said: “I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave US soil, and I might’ve sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance. I’m very happy they’re going back because there wasn’t a single team that we dealt with more than them.”
On Iran, Infantino said: “While you [the media] spread hatred, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war. Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict. When the Iranian team began playing, all the chants against them turned into a single song. The fans became the country, they became the team, and they stood behind Team Melli. This is the power of football. The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It’s not about politics. Football is about unity, not division. Football is bigger than hate and discrimination.”
Infantino accuses critics of hypocrisy over Balogun
Infantino also sought to defend the fiasco surrounding Balogun, who remained the only player at the tournament to have his red card suspended by FIFA’s disciplinary committee. Trump later admitted to calling Infantino and asking for the case to be reviewed in a bid to enable the player to face Belgium in the round of 16.
Trump, who was awarded FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize last December, got his way and Balogun played in the States’ 4-1 defeat to the Red Devils.
The Norwegian Football Federation is set to make a formal complaint over the matter but Infantino claims it was normal procedure.
He said: “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.”
FIFA have found peace – Infantino
There were also accusations Lionel Messi’s Argentina were given several favourable decisions as they looked to retain the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022.
Infantino remained unmoved and delivered another parting shot at the media, adding: “To 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.
“Because only our beautiful game can deliver such an extraordinary show, a show where everyone becomes one and reconnects as humans.
“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.”
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