Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has publicly supported a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches scheduled to be held in the United States. Blatter cited the conduct of President Donald Trump and his administration both domestically and internationally as the primary reason for his stance.
International Soccer Figures Question US Hosting Suitability
Blatter represents the latest high-profile figure within international soccer to raise serious concerns about the United States' suitability as a host country for the prestigious tournament. On Monday, which was Tuesday in Australian Eastern Daylight Time, Blatter made his position clear through a post on the social media platform X.
Blatter Echoes Anti-Corruption Expert's Warning
In his social media statement, Blatter specifically endorsed comments made by Mark Pieth in a recent interview with the Swiss newspaper Der Bund. Pieth, a Swiss attorney renowned for his expertise in white-collar crime and anti-corruption measures, previously chaired the Independent Governance Committee that oversaw FIFA's reform efforts approximately a decade ago.
Blatter, who led FIFA as its president from 1998 until his resignation in 2015 amid a corruption investigation, quoted Pieth in his post and added, "I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup."
Pieth's Stark Advice to Soccer Fans
During his interview, Pieth offered blunt advice to potential attendees, stating, "If we consider everything we've discussed, there's only one piece of advice for fans: Stay away from the USA! You'll see it better on TV anyway. And upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don't please the officials, they'll be put straight on the next flight home. If they're lucky."
Specific Concerns Driving the Boycott Calls
The growing unease within the international soccer community stems from several controversial policies and actions associated with the Trump administration. Key concerns include President Trump's expansionist posture regarding Greenland, the implementation of various travel bans, and what critics describe as aggressive tactics in handling migrants and immigration enforcement protesters in American cities, with Minneapolis being specifically mentioned.
German Soccer Official Adds to Boycott Momentum
Oke Gottlich, a vice-president of the German soccer federation, echoed these sentiments in comments to the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper last week. Gottlich suggested that the time had arrived to seriously contemplate a boycott of the World Cup, further amplifying the international discourse.
Travel Bans Disrupt Fan Plans
The practical implications of US policies became starkly evident two weeks ago when travel plans for supporters from two of Africa's top soccer nations, Senegal and Ivory Coast, were thrown into disarray. The Trump administration announced a ban that would effectively prevent citizens from these countries from following their national teams unless they already possessed valid visas.
President Trump justified the suspensions by citing "screening and vetting deficiencies" as the primary reason. Furthermore, fans from Iran and Haiti, two other nations that have successfully qualified for the World Cup, will also be barred from entering the United States under the initial iteration of the travel ban announced by the administration.
Tournament Details and Co-Hosting Arrangement
The United States is set to co-host the upcoming World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, with matches scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. This joint hosting arrangement now faces increasing scrutiny and calls for fan action from prominent figures within the global soccer landscape.
