FIFA do NOT expect Club World Cup matches to be used to kick illegal immigrants out of the US after controversial now-deleted social media post by Customs and Border Patrol
FIFA are confident that US border patrol officers will not use Club World Cup matches as an opportunity to identify and kick out illegal immigrants.
In what some viewed as an alarming development ahead of this weekend's Miami kick-off, and amid a backdrop of civil unrest, the Department of Homeland Security announced that both Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) personnel would be at matches 'providing security'.
With protests ongoing in Los Angeles over controversial immigration raids, some wondered if the federal agents would be checking papers and potentially detaining fans heading to the tournament, which features both Manchester City and Chelsea and a host of clubs across the world - including four from Mexico.
A social media message posted by CBP did little to quell such unease. 'Let the games begin!' it read. 'The first FIFA Club World Cup games start on June 14th in Miami… CBP will be suited and booted and ready to provide security for the first round of games.'
That post has since been deleted. Mail Sport has asked the Department for Homeland Security for clarification over the roles of both agencies and is yet to receive a response.
While FIFA declined to comment, it is thought that officials believe there will be no such issues and that both ICE and CBP officers will not be present at stadiums. Instead, the view is that they will assist in the wider security operation, with a focus on keeping venues across the US safe over the duration of the tournament through work at airports and around movement of goods and services..
Protests have erupted across LA since operations were carried out on Friday. US President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops and has called in 700 Marines. Demonstrators have blocked a major highway and set fire to cars while police responded with tear gas, flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets. There are concerns that the protests will spread to other cities.
Mexico's team, who are due in LA for a Gold Cup match on Saturday, have changed their hotel from downtown to Long Beach.
Meanwhile, those who bought tickets months ago for the tournament continue to receive refunds, with prices now reportedly slashed. According to The Athletic tickets for Saturday's opener between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Egypt's Al-Ahly are being offered to students at a local college for $20, with the promise of up to four free of charge.
FIFA have denied reports fewer than 20,000 tickets have been sold for the match at the city's 65,326-capacity Hard Rock Stadium.
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38 minutes ago
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