Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has joined calls for the boycott of the FIFA World Cup in the USA.
The US is co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico and Canada starting in June this year.
Blatter stepped down as Fifa President in 2015 following a series of corruption and bribery scandals and was replaced by incumbent Gianni Infantino
Blatter’s comments follow global criticism against the US anti-immigration laws, which have seen several people illegally deported while others, including US citizens, were killed by federal agents.
The Trump administration has also announced a travel ban for some countries to the US, a move that also includes fans from Ivory Coast and Senegal, among others.
The boycott is also believed to be influenced by the recent threats made by Trump, to invade Greenland.
“For the fans, there’s only one piece of advice: stay away from the USA!” I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup,” said Blatter in an X account.
Pieth, who is a Swiss anti-corruption lawyer and spearheaded FIFA reforms, was quoted in one of the media houses, questioning FIFA’s decision to award the US the rights to host the World Cup.
“What we are seeing domestically, the marginalisation of political opponents, abuses by immigration services, etc, hardly encourages fans to go there.
For fans, just one piece of advice: avoid the United States!
You’ll get a better view on television anyway.
Upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don’t behave properly with the authorities, they will be immediately sent home, if they’re lucky,” said Pieth in an interview.
Pieth also criticized US authorities, following the killing of a US citizen by members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a confrontation in Minneapolis.
Fans have also called for the boycott of the global spectacle in the US, with thousands cancelling their tickets for the US edition of the tournament.
