On Wednesday, a human rights organization expressed its concern about the safety of journalists and fans who will attend the FIFA World Cup in the United States, accusing the International Football Association (FIFA) of allowing a “clearly dangerous climate of fear” to exist in light of US President Donald Trump’s strict crackdown on immigration.

The Sports and Rights Alliance stated that FIFA did not adequately address potential threats to human rights before the start of the huge sporting event in light of concerns related to visa restrictions, tightening border controls, and the practices of security forces.

“FIFA’s weak response to human rights threats, documented by local and global civil society organisations, means we are witnessing a clearly dangerous climate of fear, uncertainty and repression,” said Andrea Florence, executive director of the coalition.

She added: “President Donald Trump’s harsh anti-human rights rhetoric, aggressive immigration policies, and mass deportations have already cast a dark shadow over the largest sporting event in the world.”

FIFA has not yet responded to a request for comment. The White House said in a statement that the World Cup will be “one of the greatest and most exciting events in human history.”

“This will be a huge event that requires close coordination between the Trump administration, FIFA, and all of our wonderful partners at the federal, state and local levels,” White House spokesman Davis Engel said.
He added: “President Trump is focused on ensuring that this experience is not only amazing for all fans and visitors, but also the safest in history – and no ridiculous scare tactics led by liberal activist groups and left-wing media will change that.”

The expanded World Cup, which includes 48 teams, will begin on June 11, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pledged that the world will be welcomed in the United States to attend this sporting event, which is also co-organized by Canada and Mexico.

But Trump’s policies, which included a broad crackdown on immigration, raised concerns about the possibility of US Immigration and Customs operations against World Cup travelers and local residents alike, while Infantino was criticized for his friendly relationship with the US president.