Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA, is the latest to express his support to boycott world cup matches held in the United States in June this year. His statements have attracted the attention of the entire football fraternity of the world and have brought back the debate on whether the country is a fit host of such a large international event.
Blatter gave his opinion X, in which he defended some statements given previously by the Swiss anti-corruption expert and lawyer Mark Pieth. In his post, Blatter has cited the advice of Pieth to the fans to avoid the United States and replied that the World Cup should be questioned in the current circumstances.
Call to Blatter Backs Public Boycott.
Mark Pieth, the former head of FIFA- Independent Governance Committee, held an interview with Swiss newspaper, Der Bund, last week. He argued that the fans would be safer in watching the tournament on the television as opposed to travelling to the United States. Pieth was worried that tourists might receive harsh treatment by the government in case of inconveniences.
Blatter, the former FIFA president from 1998 till 2015, endorsed this opinion. His remarks remain valid in the global football debate even though he retired several years ago following corruption enquiries. His words were spread quickly through the Internet and received much media coverage.
Concerns Around US Policies
The mentioned issues are connected to the activities of the ex-US President Donald Trump and his governance. Opponents cite stringent immigration regulations, the extension of travel bans, and firm reactions to migrant and immigration enforcement demonstrations in a number of cities around America, including Minneapolis.
There is some worry by some football officials that fans will not feel welcome or safe. Such fears were heightened by the announcement of the US government on extended travel restrictions at the end of last year. Some of the world cup-qualified countries were not spared by the rules.
Viewers in a number of countries were impacted.
Senegalese and Ivory Coast fans were taken aback by new visa measures. Other travel bans have also denied entry to fans in Iran and Haiti into the United States.
Such rulings have halted traveling plans and have frustrated football fans.
Oke Göttlich, who is a vice president of the German football federation, too indicated that a boycott was time to consider seriously. His remarks demonstrated that it is not only one country or organisation that is concerned.
Millions of fans are expected at the World Cup which is due to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico between June 11 and July 19. Nevertheless, as the political tensions and travel restrictions are in the spotlight, the debate on the attendance matters only keeps expanding the closer this tournament is.
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