It’s a Trump Cup and Not a World Cup

Echo of the Pen!
By Lansana Fofanah

Despite the series of controversies surrounding this year’s World Cup, the tournament started yesterday with one of the hosting countries Mexico playing the opening match with South Africa.
However, this year’s tournament has already been described by pundits like Ian Wrights and others as the worst tournament that FIFA had ever held in its 122 years of existence.
This is because, one of this year’s co-hosting country’s President Donald Trump has imposed tough immigration laws even before the tournament could start.
From strict immigration policies, to banning a Somalia referee Omar Artan, to visa restriction on players and fans from a polarized nations, to the high cost of ticket prices, the tournament has already lost its purpose.
President Trump must know that, football is the only global sport that has the potential to unite the world. But denying legitimate fans of participating teams the access to be part of the competition, defeat the rules of Fair Play.
What was really in the minds of the US government when it vied to host the tournament? Were they expecting the games to be played behind closed doors? Were they expecting fans not to travel to support their teams? Definitely no!
What is worrying is the quietness of FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino in all of this unfortunate situation as he looks on while Trump hijack the powers from FIFA.
This was not something that came as a surprise to many people following recent immigration laws introduced under President Trump’s second coming.
Many people have been deported by President Trump’s regime while several countries have been banned from securing visa. Those were all signs that FIFA would have taken into consideration before the commencement of the tournament.
Sad enough, Gianno Infantino was not able to overturn the banning of the Somali referee who has been officially appointed to commission some matches.
There are growing concerns over the safety of the Iranian teams who once suggested that, all of their matches be played outside America. But that was overturned by FIFA.
Even the Americans who were yearning to host the tournament, are now complaining over the high cost of tickets and public facilities such as bus services.
Whoever wins it, the tournament will best be described as a Trump Cup and not a World Cup. And there will be so many lessons for FIFA to learn from.
News 24 publication.