Africans face danger if United States hosts 2022 World Cup

Published on: 29 June 2010

A top United States official says his country should not be allowed to host the 2018/2022 World Cup unless its repeals its immigration laws targeting racial or ethnic minorities who "look" foreign.

The revelation which is a serious blow to America’s hopes of hosting the tournament has raised fear among fans African fans who are hoping to travel to support their countries in the countries when they qualify.

The United Sates are among the eleven countries who recently submitted their plans of hosting the event to Fifa, the world governing body, to host the world’s most watched sporting event.

But the naming of Glendale, Arizona as one of the host cities has raised serious concerns about the safety of the over one million fans many of them Africans, who are expected to visit the tournament because of its draconian laws against foreigners.

Should Fifa select Glendale as one of the US World Cup host cities, tens of thousands of players and fans from across the world could be expected to flood into Arizona to fill the stands, the hotels, and coffers of local business people.

But instead of a United States welcome mat, many could be detained or prosecuted by Arizona for appearing to be an undocumented alien.

“FIFA can and should boycott Arizona until it learns its constitutional lessons. The US Constitution entrusts the federal government with authority over immigration, naturalization and deportation matters,” Bruce Fein an associate deputy attorney general under President Ronald Reagan regime said.

“Arizona authorities unschooled in immigration matters and indifferent to foreign ramifications will decide who is properly documented and who is not for purposes of detention or imprisonment.

“Today, Americans should profit by that example, and demand that FIFA withhold the World Cup from the US until Arizona repeals its mean-spirited and gratuitous anti-immigrant statute.

“Arizona has never been handcuffed in enforcing its laws against homicide, kidnapping, burglary, drug trafficking, money laundering, etc. against citizens and non-citizens alike.”

Glendale is one of the 18 cities included in the US bid, competing with Australia, England, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Qatar and two joint bids from Belgium and the Netherlands, and Spain and Portugal.

Chicago, an American city, failed in its bid to host the 2016 Olympics after concerns over the way foreign visitors would be welcomed during the tournament.

Among the toughest questions posed to their bid team during their final presentation in Copenhagen concerned with the welcome foreigners would receive when they arrived in this country to attend the Games.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more