'Busy planting seeds of hate': FIFA backs Trump-Balogun decision, hits back at critics

One week after the FIFA World Cup final, FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the tournament and criticised what he described as negative coverage, accusing some critics of “spreading hate and false rumors.”In a 900-word statement published across a 15-page post on his Instagram account and on FIFA’s website late Sunday, Infantino said FIFA had succeeded in staging the World Cup and bringing people together.He praised FIFA for “delivering the best show in the world” and said the tournament had brought “joy and togetherness.”“Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,” Infantino wrote, addressing his comments to “those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumors.”FIFA and Infantino faced criticism during the World Cup over several issues, including Iran team officials, a Somali referee and some fans being denied entry to the United States, allegations of political influence by…