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FIFA Faces Boycott Calls After Trump-Infantino Meeting Sparks Outrage
Doha, Qatar – November 21, 2023 – Calls for a boycott of FIFA and the upcoming World Cup are mounting following a controversial meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting, confirmed by both parties, has ignited a firestorm of criticism centered on accusations of political interference and a perceived disregard for human rights concerns surrounding the tournamentS host nation, Qatar.
The meeting took place on November 19th at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, stating, “Great meeting with Gianni – a fantastic guy! We discussed making FIFA even more triumphant, and frankly, it already is!” Infantino echoed the sentiment, telling reporters, “It was a very productive discussion about the future of football and the importance of unity.”
Critics argue the meeting undermines FIFA’s stated commitment to ethical governance and casts a shadow over the World Cup, already plagued by controversy regarding Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights. Human rights organizations have long documented alleged abuses in the construction of World Cup stadiums, estimating that over 6,500 migrant workers from South Asian countries have died in Qatar since it won the bid to host the tournament in 2010.
“This is a complete disgrace,” stated Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard in a press release.”For the FIFA President to be publicly embracing a figure like Donald Trump, who has a documented history of discriminatory rhetoric and policies, sends a deeply damaging message. It signals that FIFA prioritizes political expediency over fundamental human rights.”
The controversy comes as FIFA continues to grapple with the fallout from previous corruption scandals, including the 2015 investigation that led to the indictment of several high-ranking officials. Infantino, who became FIFA President in 2016 following the scandal, has pledged to reform the institution. Though, this latest incident has fueled skepticism about the sincerity of those efforts.
Several fan groups and activist organizations are now actively promoting a boycott of the World Cup, urging supporters to refrain from attending matches or purchasing merchandise.A petition circulating online has already garnered over 50,000 signatures.
FIFA has not yet issued a formal response to the growing boycott movement, but a spokesperson stated the organization “remains committed to promoting human rights and inclusivity in football.” The situation is rapidly evolving, and the long-term impact on the World Cup’s reputation and viewership remains to be seen.
