Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has laid into the USA and FIFA over the latest border scandal.
A number of issues have cropped up as players, staff and officials head to the Americas for the 2026 World Cup.
Those issues haven’t been in Canada or Mexico, though, instead limited to the US and their strict border policies.
The most high-profile incident so far has been Somali referee Omar Artan being detained and sent home at Miami Airport.
The CAF Referee of the Year will now need to be replaced for the tournament.
Responding to the story, Blatter, FIFA’s head from 1998 to 2015, was furious.
Artan incident outrages Blatter
“It’s unbelievable and absurd,” he said.
“When a country is awarded the hosting of a World Cup, there are two sacred and fundamental principles.
“The first is security , which the country must guarantee for the event. The second is granting entry visas to all FIFA officials. And there’s nothing more official than a referee.
“If a country refuses entry to a referee, it’s a serious problem, and the World Cup shouldn’t be held in such a country.
“The blame lies primarily with FIFA: it abandoned this principle, which the country (the United States) failed to respect. We can’t stop the tournament, but it’s outrageous.”
Blatter then turned on his successor as FIFA president, Gianni Infantino.
“The current president should show that he’s stronger than his good friend in the White House, shouldn’t he?” he said.
“When you start letting politics control you, it’s bad. And the other federations should protest too…”
Asked if he’ll still be watching the tournament, he finished: “Yes, football is my life and I can’t give it up.
“I’m not always happy with what’s happening, but I no longer have the power to change anything.
“I don’t have all my mobility anymore, but the remnants of my mind are still there.
“I’m doing well, I’m a happy man. At lunchtime, I go out with a friend to get out a bit. At home, I also have an exercise bike; I’m capable of climbing the Tourmalet if necessary!”
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