FIFA President-Emeritus Sepp Blatter has sparked controversy by suggesting fans boycott World Cup matches in the US due to security concerns. The former head of FIFA stated his support for Swiss anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth's comments, which advocate for supporters to avoid traveling to the United States.
Pieth cited the recent killing of a protester as one reason for fans to reconsider their trip. The case of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an American immigration agent in Minneapolis earlier this month, has raised concerns about the treatment of protesters in the US. Blatter's endorsement comes after the death of another US citizen, Alex Pretti, last weekend.
Pieth also warned fans that if they fail to follow authorities' instructions upon arrival, they would be immediately deported. The World Cup is set to take place in the US from June 11 to July 19, and Pieth believes the current situation "hardly encourages" fans to attend.
Blatter's comments have been seen as an attempt to distance himself from President Gianni Infantino, who has forged close ties with Donald Trump. The FIFA president stepped down in 2015 amid scandals and was replaced by Infantino.
Pieth cited the recent killing of a protester as one reason for fans to reconsider their trip. The case of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an American immigration agent in Minneapolis earlier this month, has raised concerns about the treatment of protesters in the US. Blatter's endorsement comes after the death of another US citizen, Alex Pretti, last weekend.
Pieth also warned fans that if they fail to follow authorities' instructions upon arrival, they would be immediately deported. The World Cup is set to take place in the US from June 11 to July 19, and Pieth believes the current situation "hardly encourages" fans to attend.
Blatter's comments have been seen as an attempt to distance himself from President Gianni Infantino, who has forged close ties with Donald Trump. The FIFA president stepped down in 2015 amid scandals and was replaced by Infantino.
... I mean, seriously, boycotting the World Cup because of security concerns in the US? That's like saying all Americans are violent or something 
. And what's with Pieth's warnings about getting deported if fans don't follow instructions? Like, come on, we're talking about a sport here, not some super serious crime scene 
.
. But, like, let's not overreact here and blame the entire US for one bad apple, right? It's all about being informed and respectful of different cultures and situations.
. I mean, if fans boycott the World Cup, he's not gonna get dragged back into all that drama. It's like, yeah, some people do get hurt when protesting, but do we really need a sports event turned into a security nightmare? 
And what about all the fans who have nothing to do with any politics or protests? They're just there for the soccer 
. Pieth's comments are valid, I guess, but it's not like this is a good reason to ruin the whole experience for everyone else. Can't we just focus on the beautiful game instead of all the drama and controversy surrounding it? 
I'm all about the World Cup, but come on 
! Blatter's idea to boycott matches in the US because of security concerns is just a bit extreme 
. Did you know that 75% of FIFA fans are from Europe 
, and they're still planning to flock to the US? I think it's more about FIFA trying to avoid controversy than actually addressing security issues 
.
. Can you imagine shelling out that kind of cash just to attend matches in the US? The economic impact on the host country would be huge 
. Plus, it's only 10% of the world's population who actually watch the World Cup 
. It's not like they're expecting a massive influx of fans.
. Did you know that 60% of FIFA officials have been suspended or banned since Blatter left office 
? It just seems like another case of FIFA drama 
.
. But Pieth's right, you can't trust the authorities sometimes. I'd be worried if I was a fan planning to travel to the US for the World Cup 
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. Not sure if I'd trust Sepp Blatter's judgment on this one... 
I don't think it's a good idea for fans to boycott the World Cup just because of security concerns. I mean, we should be able to watch our favorite teams play without worrying about being caught up in some larger issues that aren't even related to football 
. Plus, the US has got plenty of amazing cities and experiences to offer, from the bright lights of New York to the beautiful beaches of Miami. It's not like we're going into a war zone or anything! 
I think it's just a case of FIFA trying to save face after some bad press 
. And honestly, I'm still salty about Blatter getting off scot-free for all those corruption scandals 
Blatter's got a point tho - security should be top priority, especially in sensitive areas like stadiums. but boycotting the whole thing? that seems extreme 
Mark Pieths comments are prob more bark than bite. and whats with all these protests anyway? cant we just enjoy the game without gettin worked up about politics? 
. And what about all the people who've worked so hard to organize this thing? It's gonna be a huge financial loss if nobody shows up 
.
️. And what about all the other countries hosting the World Cup from June 11 to July 19? Do they not deserve some love too? 
. And honestly, can't we all just get along and enjoy the beautiful game without so much drama?