On the eve of the tournament opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed concerns surrounding Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was barred from entering the United States this week despite holding a valid visa.
Infantino told football fans to 'chill and relax' over the incident, emphasizing that FIFA is not above national laws. 'We have to respect that we are not kings of the world, who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation that does as much as we can. It's important sometimes to chill, relax. We work on everything. Sometimes screaming and shouting does not find a solution,' he stated.
Infantino Responds to Critics
The FIFA president's comments came in response to criticism over the organization's handling of the situation. Artan, a Somali referee, was denied entry despite having proper documentation, raising questions about travel restrictions and visa policies.
Infantino urged calm, noting that FIFA continues to address such issues behind the scenes. 'We are not a political body. We focus on football, but we also work with authorities to ensure fairness,' he added.
The tournament opener is set to proceed as scheduled, with Infantino expressing confidence in the event's success despite the controversy.
