"A growing number of international leaders are suggesting it's time to reconsider the idea of playing the World Cup in the United States this summer. Oke Gottlich, vice president of the German Football Assn., told a German newspaper last week that he wants to discuss a boycott of the tournament, much like the U.S.-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan."
"Nearly two dozen European football association heads held informal talks in Budapest last week to discuss their participation in the World Cup. A veteran coach of several African national teams urged a boycott, and a United Nations diplomat and international law expert has canceled his World Cup tickets, fearing for his safety in the U.S. amid violent federal immigration crackdowns in Minnesota and other cities throughout the United States."
Growing numbers of international leaders, football officials and diplomats are urging reconsideration of holding the World Cup in the United States this summer due to safety and immigration enforcement concerns. German Football Association vice president Oke Gottlich called for discussion of a boycott, comparing the situation to the 1980 U.S.-led Olympic boycott. Nearly two dozen European association heads held informal talks in Budapest about participation. A veteran African coach urged a boycott and a U.N. diplomat canceled tickets, citing fears of detention under aggressive federal immigration crackdowns. FIFA projects record attendance and revenue, but foreign visitors may stay away, threatening international tourism income.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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