Infantino tells critics to "meditate, pray or watch a football match"

Fifa president Gianni Infantino told his critics to "meditate, pray or watch a football match" instead of "spreading hate and false rumours" about him and the World Cup. His comments were directed at those who have levelled criticism at him and at the tournament.

Gianni Infantino, in his role as Fifa president, addressed detractors directly with a short, pointed message. He urged people to choose alternatives to what he described as harmful behaviour rather than continuing public attacks. The remarks referenced both the personal criticism aimed at him and broader commentary concerning the World Cup. He framed his suggestion as a remedy to the circulation of damaging claims and negativity.

Infantino's statement left little room for nuance: he recommended that critics either "meditate, pray or watch a football match" in place of engaging in hostile commentary. That prescription was offered as a way to step back from what he labelled as "spreading hate and false rumours." The president positioned those options as preferable responses to the criticisms he faces.

The message tied the two elements — criticism of Infantino and criticism of the World Cup — together, indicating that both were the subjects of the conduct he condemned. By urging alternative actions, Infantino set out a simple behavioural choice for those participating in the public debate. His intervention focused on the tone and veracity of claims rather than on specific objections or grievances.

Infantino's comments were concise and direct, repeating the key phrases that encapsulated his view of the situation. He described the conduct he criticised with the exact words "spreading hate and false rumours," linking that conduct to the ongoing attention on both his person and the tournament. The president's approach relied on a brief admonition rather than a detailed rebuttal.

Whether the remarks will change the tenor of discussion around him or the event remains to be seen, but Infantino clearly signalled his impatience with persistent attacks. He recommended a set of alternative responses — "meditate, pray or watch a football match" — as a means of reducing what he called harmful and untrue commentary.