Amid immigration concerns, FIFA assures fans safety is a ‘top priority’ before Club World Cup
Fans and players alike can expect to feel secure and safe when attending FIFA Club World Cup matches in D C FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis declared Related stories What the Trump advance ban means for the World Cup and Olympic Games Cristiano Ronaldo by the numbers as he auditions for the Club World Cup FIFA Club World Cup When it starts and which teams are playing in soccer s new-look tournament The former U S women s national organization head coach informed WTOP that despite concerns following new immigration policies made by the Trump administration the international soccer federation wants fans to feel secure while attending matches during the new tournament It s consistently a top priority for FIFA to make sure that fans feel welcome and safe she stated The tournament will feature club teams and emulate the men s and women s World Cups Eight groups of four teams will play in a round-robin mini league with the top two advancing to a knockout stage to determine the winner It will feature chosen of the world s biggest club teams including Spanish giants Real Madrid and English side Manchester City with a total prize fund of billion President Donald Trump in recent weeks broadcasted a new passage ban banning citizens from countries from entering the U S while restricting access for seven others citing national safeguard concerns The majority of the countries are in Africa and the Middle East While none of the clubs participating in the tournament come from nations listed in the ban according to the order players and coaches from those countries must request an exemption before entering the U S According to Ellis over countries will be represented during the Club World Cup Online outlet The Athletic announced fans from more than countries have booked their tickets to attend the competition Meanwhile nationwide raids by U S Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have led to multiple concerts and events being canceled Lately an annual Salvadoran festival in Montgomery County Maryland was called off due to fears of ICE agents taking away audience members In preparation for the Club World Cup Ellis announced FIFA is working with federal and local partners to keep fans and players safe She hopes the tournament will bring people together despite the current political setting We want to see a sporting event that that is representative of the world she commented And we want fans to feel settled and safe D C will host three matches at Audi Field headlined by Italian giants Juventus playing Abu Dhabi-based Al Ain FC on June Tickets are still available via Ticketmaster Three teams will also have their base camp training sites throughout the area Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal will be housed at D C United s performance center in Leesburg Virginia Al Ain will be at the Episcopal High School in Alexandria and Morocco s Wydad AC will train at the Landon School in Bethesda Maryland Ellis whose lived in Northern Virginia and is a William Mary alum reported the D C area is uniquely qualified to handle the tournament She recalled being at RFK Stadium during the Men s World Cup and seen its soccer scene grow through its club teams To her the D C region is a very welcoming atmosphere for soccer fans where they can feel respected and supported It s an exciting event to come into the D C area and see selected of the best players in the world compete right there at Audi she mentioned The Associated Press contributed to this analysis Source
