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Former President Trump has yet again declared he would urge FIFA to remove global soccer tournament games from a host city based on the local politics, with Massachusetts becoming the latest such city to encounter such statements from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would contemplate similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to possible public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump does not have formal power to unilaterally remove either competition, he can apply pressure the organizing committees overseeing each competition to shift locations.

Context of Remarks

The statements were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the disclosure of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the Argentine nation. Toward the close of the gathering, a journalist questioned Trump about a latest “street takeover” in Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also questioned if the situation could cause the loss of organizing rights for the expanded football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump said concerning the FIFA World Cup games, set to be held at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is not good … she’s far-left, and they are taking over sections of Boston. That’s a pretty big statement, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people congregate on public avenues after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a repeated issue in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Latest similar events have turned violent in the region, including the city. However, these occurrences are usually not considered linked to any specific ideological group.

“In cases where a city is failing, and I believe there’s unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” Trump stated publicly. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he would comply. Very easily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has made no secret his attempts to be publicly aligned with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, set to be hosted in 11 cities across the United States along with several in the northern neighbor and multiple in the southern neighbor. The head has been present at various presidential events, arranged for Trump present the FIFA club award after the championship match, and has even postponed his the group's assembly to accompany Trump on a journey to the Middle East this year.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from threatening the removal of soccer games from different locations. Recently, Seattle and San Francisco were parallel criticism, with Trump stating both locations were “run by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while criticizing the security conditions of both areas and claiming that matches could be removed.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he commented afterward at a gathering in London.

“This is the organization's event, under our authority, the organization determines those decisions,” Montagliani stated. “Politely to current world leaders, football is bigger than any individual and soccer will survive their administration and their policies. It's the essence of our game, that it is transcends any individual and beyond a nation.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I perceived the city was not prepared properly, I'd relocate it to a different city as needed,” he said. “For the Olympics I might have to secure a different kind of approval, but we would take that action.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would need to come via the Olympic governing body. Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her role in this year and has not yet hold a public appearance with him, but she stated that she desires a sit-down with Trump at some point.

Other Remarks

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s management of the LA wildfires, saying that a similar situation could cause the relocation of the event.

“When he is uncooperative, we will have to be very tough,” he said.

His message was similarly clear for the Massachusetts city.

“The city must address these issues,” he said. “That is I can say.”