Officials from FIFA (International Football Federation) held a crisis meeting this Saturday (28) to discuss possible repercussions, in this year’s World Cup, of the attack by the United States and Israel on Iran.
The meeting, in Wales, took place after an event promoted by Ifab (International Football Association Board), the entity responsible for football rules, which approved a package of measures aimed at increasing the pace of matches and reducing the so-called “wax”.
“We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments on all issues around the world,” said FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, according to The Times newspaper.
Also according to the director, the highest football entity will maintain direct contact with the three countries that will jointly host the World Cup — the United States, Mexico and Canada. “We will continue to communicate, as we always do, with the three governments [anfitriões]as in any situation. Everyone will be safe,” Grafstrom said.
Iran, already qualified for the World Cup, has group stage matches scheduled on American soil, two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. The competition starts on June 11th.
To date, there are no official announcements of sports boycotts or sanctions in response to the conflict.
