The ongoing World Cup in America is facing intense scrutiny due to organizational disruptions, visa crises, and protests that have drawn attention to what analysts describe as a "double standard" in media and political responses when compared to the previous criticisms directed at the successes of Morocco and Qatar. The prelude to the tournament saw attempts to breach the opening stadium before the inaugural match, prompting law enforcement to intervene with batons and tear gas. This response has sparked media discussions regarding the underlying social demands that prompted such actions, overshadowing the celebratory atmosphere of the opening ceremony and match.
However, it is not solely the internal issues within the host nation that have fueled the criticism; rather, comparisons have ignited across media platforms and social networks, led by notable figures such as Mohamed Aboutrika, the Egyptian football legend and sports analyst. He labeled the current World Cup as the "most disastrous edition" in history, citing a myriad of problems, including the absence of referees, stadium issues, weather concerns, and organizational chaos. In a segment on Al Jazeera, Aboutrika addressed critics of the Africa Cup of Nations, particularly calling out South African coach Hugo Broos, challenging him to show his face now that the World Cup is facing its own litany of issues, including visa and ticketing challenges.
Journalist Dunya Ramadan, writing for the German magazine Spiegel, highlighted the organizational and human rights missteps made by America, providing specific examples of what she termed dehumanizing treatment of Iraqi team members. She recounted the experience of Iraqi player Ayman Hussein, who faced a seven-hour interrogation upon entering the United States, while a team photographer was denied entry at the border. Ramadan also referenced her award-winning piece discussing the German discourse surrounding the World Cup in Qatar, particularly the case of referee Omar Artan, who was forced to return home despite possessing a valid visa, intended to be the first Somali official to officiate World Cup matches. She criticized the rationale provided by the Trump administration for Artan's removal, which suggested he was linked to "alleged members of terrorist organizations," questioning whether such accusations would be as readily accepted if directed at a European referee.
Ramadan emphasized the evident double standards in the treatment of individuals and nations alike, recalling Trump's derogatory remarks about "shithole countries" and suggesting that this classification reflects a common pattern in Western immigration policies. Furthermore, she pointed out the inconsistent responses from governing bodies regarding the integrity of the sport, recalling FIFA's decision to revoke Indonesia's right to host the Under-20 World Cup after the government refused to accommodate the Israeli team. She also mentioned ongoing criticisms regarding working conditions at construction sites in Qatar, positing that if the same standards were applied to the current World Cup in the United States, one could easily enumerate reasons to justify a boycott.
Moroccan journalist Abdelhak Snaibi, on his program published by the Moroccan website Hespress, asserted that Morocco has finally received recognition, as comparisons are drawn between the organizational standards of the World Cup and the continent's competitions, which he argued are equally professional. He criticized what he termed a "conspiracy of silence" from certain quarters, pointing out the double standards especially from those who were historically and spiritually linked to Morocco. Snaibi argued that the World Cup transcends mere sporting events; it acts as a mirror reflecting the media's hypocrisy and the double standards in evaluation and judgment. He noted that the preparations for this event have exposed the hypocrisy of those who have justified organizational failures while simultaneously amplifying minor details into major crises when it came to Morocco.
In stark contrast to the barrage of criticisms surrounding various incidents at the ongoing World Cup, Trump declared it the "most successful World Cup ever," emphasizing that tickets have sold at an unprecedented rate. He remarked on the astonishing success of the event, highlighting that football is not necessarily the first thought associated with the United States. Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino responded to questions at a recent press conference, expressing regret over what happened to referee Omar Artan but noted, "We do not control everything; sometimes it is good to remain calm," questioning whether it is reasonable for FIFA to demand that countries issue visas to whomever they choose.
As reported by dw.com.
