FIFA Club World Cup will be guarded by “suited and booted”; ICE and DHS agents, officials have warned.
The mammoth event’s opening ceremony takes place at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.
The countdown is officially on until the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off, with a curtain-raiser between Inter Miami and a team from Egypt, Al Ahly.
The Department of Homeland Security has revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel will provide security at the game.
On its Facebook account, CBP posted last week: “Let the games begin.
“The first #FIFAClubWorldCup games start on June 14th in Miami, FL at the Hard Rock Stadium.
“CBP will be suited and booted and ready to provide security for the first round of games. #CBPxFIFA #FootballUnitesTheWorld.”;
The post has since been deleted.
However, NBC said the post had prompted questions about whether the presence of federal agents was “just part of the overall security team, which is normal for a big event?”;
This follows demonstrations nationwide, including Dallas and Austin in Texas, and Chicago and New York, after federal immigration raids arrested dozens of workers in Los Angeles.
It also comes as Donald Trump continues his huge immigration crackdown and travel ban.
And Vice President JD Vance last month warned World Cup travellers not to overstay their welcome.
The broadcaster said it was not clear whether the agents will also be checking papers and detaining fans arriving for the game.
FIFA today held a press conference to publicise the Club World Cup – the winning side of which will earn up to $125 million.
NBC noted, “It’s obvious that Fifa would rather focus on the games instead of outside issues.”;
FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged fans to buy tickets despite concerns about the presence of federal agents.
He told fans, “Be part of history, football is such an important sport all over the world. we’ll have billions of people watching this from home who would love to come and attend.”;
BOOSTING SECURITY
Infantino was asked whether he had any concerns about ICE and border officials being present at the games.
He replied, “No I don’t have any concerns on anything in the sense that we are very attentive on any security questions.
“Most important for us is to guarantee security for our fans who will come to the games, this is our priority.”;
The station stressed that it is normal for local police to partner with federal counterparts and law enforcement agents to provide security at big events.
The broadcaster said it had spoken to ICE agents – who had confirmed its officials will be at the games – to provide security.
NBC – citing ICE advice – told viewers intending on attending games that all non-American citizens need to carry proof of their legal status.
This is particularly vital after the debacle last year, when 7,000 unticketed supporters broke into the Copa America final.
Some fans climbed over fences, while others were incredibly seen trying to entervia a ventilation system at the Hard Rock Stadium.
But, Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition said the federal agents’ now-deleted social media warning had caused confusion.
He said, “The messaging that CBP is using is a bit cryptic.
“It’s sort of alluding that people should have their paperwork in order to attend the games.
“It creates an environment where people are less likely to come watch the games because of just sheer intimidation.”;
When asked about the security arrangement, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said, “We’re here to make sure people are safe, that’s our focus, to work with all of the law enforcement personnel, our safety personnel, and make sure they have a seamless experience.”;
