US immigration, border agents to be deployed at Club World Cup: report
UNITED STATES immigration and border agents will be deployed at venues hosting FIFA Club World Cup games when the tournament kicks off this weekend, a US media report said Wednesday.
NBC television's Miami affiliate reported that members of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would be on duty at Saturday's opener between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Egypt's Al Ahly.
The report cited a CBP post on social media -- since deleted -- that said agents would be on the ground during the first round of games in the tournament.
'Let the games begin! The first FIFA Club World Cup games start on June 14th in Miami,' the post on X read. 'CBP will be suited and booted and ready to provide security for the first round of games.'
ICE raids carried out in Los Angeles last week as part of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown have triggered angry protests in the city.
The NBC report did not state what role ICE and CBP agents would have at Club World Cup games, nor did it give any indication of how many agents would be deployed.
An ICE spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by AFP.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino meanwhile played down any concerns about ICE agents being deployed to Club World Cup matches.
'No, I don't have any concerns about anything in the sense that we are very attentive on any security question,' Infantino told reporters at an event in Miami.
'Of course, the most important for us is to guarantee security for all the fans who come to the games. This is our priority. This is the priority of all the authorities who are here. And we want everyone who comes to the games to pass a good moment.'
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The Sun
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Infantino: Club World Cup Marks New Era in Football
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'Countries who would never have a chance to play in a World Cup are suddenly part of a World Cup and they feel to be part of it, the fans of these players and of these clubs,' added Infantino, who noted several great players of the past who never played in a World Cup, 'A very good friend of mine is George legend, great player, Ballon d'Or winner, only African player who ever won the Ballon d'Or, by the way. He never played in a World Cup. He would have been playing in a Club World Cup and made not only his club and also his country proud,' he added. 'Something special' Infantino dismissed concerns that the tournament added to fixture congestion but acknowledged that some fans were yet to be sure of the value of the tournament, saying though that would quickly change. 'I believe, I'm convinced that, you know, as soon as the ball starts rolling, the whole world will realise what is happening here. It's something special,' he said. 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The FIFA president said that the tournament, which secured a global broadcasting deal with DAZN reported to be worth $1 billion, was already an economic success and stressed that all the money generated from commercial deals would be ploughed back into the game. Asked how he would judge whether the tournament had been a success, Infantino said he would feel it in his 'heart' but said he was confident. 'In terms of inclusivity, in terms of economy, in terms of fan interest, you take all of these criteria, we'll speak again at the end of the club World Cup, but already now, I (feel positive), when I look at the number of tickets sold, and I look at the TV rights,' he said, noting that the games were available on DAZN's streams for free. 'Tell me one top competition today, where you can watch football for free?' he asked. 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New Straits Times
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