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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly announced he would influence FIFA to relocate global soccer tournament matches from a host city based on that city's politics, with Boston now being the most recent such city to face such threats from the American leader. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would contemplate parallel steps against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived safety issues.

Official Power and Potential Influence

While Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either event, he may exert influence the organizing committees in charge of each event to shift venues.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the White House following the revelation of a $20 billion bailout for the Latin American nation. Near the conclusion of the gathering, a journalist inquired Trump about a latest public disturbance in Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a cruiser was burned. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could lead to the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president said concerning the soccer matches, set to be hosted at the Massachusetts arena. “Their mayor is not good … she is far-left, and they’re occupying sections of downtown. It's a significant statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized trend where large crowds congregate on urban roads after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a repeated issue in American cities since the coronavirus closures. Recent such gatherings have turned violent in Massachusetts, specifically in the city. Nevertheless, these events are usually not considered tied to any particular political ideology.

“When someone is performing poorly, and I perceive there’s unsafe conditions, I would call the FIFA head, who is excellent, and tell him we should relocate it to another location,” the former president said publicly. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love the action, but he’d do it. Readily, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has been open his strategies to be publicly aligned with Trump prior to next year’s tournament, set to be organized in 11 cities across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The head has appeared at various Oval Office events, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup award after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the cancellation of soccer events from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco faced similar statements, with Trump stating both cities were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and suggesting that games could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes such choices,” the vice-president declared. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than them and football will endure their administration and their government. That’s the essence of football, that it is bigger than a single person and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“If I believed Los Angeles was failing to be sufficiently organized, I'd shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a alternative approval, but we'd take that action.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would need to come via the Olympic governing body. The president, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her post in this year and has not yet meet publicly with the former president, but she said that she would like a discussion with the US figure at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of recent LA wildfires, remarking that a comparable scenario could cause the relocation of the event.

“If the governor refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be firm,” he commented.

The warning was similarly direct for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all I can say.”