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Empty seats, NBA-style walkouts: the Club World Cup so far
The Straits Times
|June 23, 2025
The opening week of the first 32-team Club World Cup in the United States has been played under a political shadow, while South American sides impress and some games struggle to attract fans.
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PHILADELPHIA – The opening week of the first 32-team Club World Cup in the United States has been played under a political shadow, while South American sides impress and some games struggle to attract fans. AFP Sport looks at some of the main talking points at the tournament so far.
POLITICAL SHADOW Fifa has faced criticism for its increasingly close links to United States President Donald Trump and his administration.
Ahead of the tournament, Uefa accused Fifa chief Gianni Infantino of prioritising "private political interests" after he turned up late for his organisation's own congress because he met the American leader in the Middle East.
Infantino was in the Oval Office again on June 18 with a delegation from Juventus, as they shared an awkward exchange with Mr Trump as he questioned them on transgender athletes.
"It was a bit weird," said Juventus and US forward Timothy Weah.
"When he started talking about the politics with Iran and everything, it's kind of, like... I just want to play football, man."
Dit verhaal komt uit de June 23, 2025-editie van The Straits Times.
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