Mauricio Pochettino's attempt to defend Fifa's stance on the high cost of World Cup tickets was a misfire, as he came across as out of touch and dismissive of player opinions.
The Argentine manager, who has been praised for his affability and savvy approach since joining US Soccer, took umbrage with Tim Weah's comments about ticket prices at the upcoming World Cup. Weah, an Olympique Marseille winger, expressed disappointment that tickets are too expensive, which he believes should be accessible to all fans.
In a press conference, Pochettino said players shouldn't comment on such matters outside of their playing duties. However, this stance flew in the face of recent precedent set by US Soccer, which has encouraged its players to become more outspoken on issues related to the sport. The men's national team has also engaged in social justice initiatives and supported causes close to its heart.
Pochettino's response was notable for its tone-deafness. While Fifa is under pressure to address concerns about ticket prices, the organization's stance appears increasingly intertwined with politics. By implying that players should not comment on such matters, Pochettino inadvertently boosted Fifa's efforts to merge soccer and politics.
Critics have pointed out that Weah's comments were not about politics but rather about a key aspect of his job – making the sport accessible to all fans. In contrast, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been vocal about social issues, including supporting Palestinian rights.
Weah's response to being drawn into politics was nuanced and thoughtful, particularly given his background as a member of Liberia's first family. It is disappointing that Pochettino misread Weah's comments and failed to grasp the mood of the moment.
Overall, Pochettino's remark has highlighted the tension between Fifa's desire to maintain neutrality on sensitive issues and its actual role in shaping public discourse. The World Cup organizers would be wise to listen more carefully to player feedback and acknowledge the concerns of fans who are eager to engage with the sport they love.
The Argentine manager, who has been praised for his affability and savvy approach since joining US Soccer, took umbrage with Tim Weah's comments about ticket prices at the upcoming World Cup. Weah, an Olympique Marseille winger, expressed disappointment that tickets are too expensive, which he believes should be accessible to all fans.
In a press conference, Pochettino said players shouldn't comment on such matters outside of their playing duties. However, this stance flew in the face of recent precedent set by US Soccer, which has encouraged its players to become more outspoken on issues related to the sport. The men's national team has also engaged in social justice initiatives and supported causes close to its heart.
Pochettino's response was notable for its tone-deafness. While Fifa is under pressure to address concerns about ticket prices, the organization's stance appears increasingly intertwined with politics. By implying that players should not comment on such matters, Pochettino inadvertently boosted Fifa's efforts to merge soccer and politics.
Critics have pointed out that Weah's comments were not about politics but rather about a key aspect of his job – making the sport accessible to all fans. In contrast, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been vocal about social issues, including supporting Palestinian rights.
Weah's response to being drawn into politics was nuanced and thoughtful, particularly given his background as a member of Liberia's first family. It is disappointing that Pochettino misread Weah's comments and failed to grasp the mood of the moment.
Overall, Pochettino's remark has highlighted the tension between Fifa's desire to maintain neutrality on sensitive issues and its actual role in shaping public discourse. The World Cup organizers would be wise to listen more carefully to player feedback and acknowledge the concerns of fans who are eager to engage with the sport they love.
He came across as really out of touch with what players like Weah are trying to say. Like, I get it, players shouldn't be talking about ticket prices outside of their game, but Fifa is under so much pressure to address these issues, you know? 
It's not just about the fans, it's about making the sport more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
He's right, ticket prices are crazy expensive and that's not okay. It's like, we're trying to bring people together with this beautiful game, but we're pricing them out of it? That just doesn't sit right.
It's time for Fifa to listen to what players and fans have to say. Weah's comments were nuanced and thoughtful, and that's exactly what we need from our sports leaders... 
his response came off as super dismissive towards tim weah's comments which were literally about making soccer more accessible to everyone 
it's not about politics, it's about fans being able to enjoy the game without breaking the bank 
and honestly, pep guardiola's vocal stance on social issues is a great example of how players can bring attention to important causes 
. As a coach, he should be listening more to the players' concerns rather than telling them what to do outside of their playing duties 
. I mean, Weah just wants to see more fans at the World Cup without breaking the bank 
. Maybe they should focus on making the game more accessible for everyone, you know? 
, he's just tryna talk about somethin that matters 2 him & Pochettino comes @ him like dat 
... Weah's got every right 2 be vocal 'bout ticket prices, it's not about politics, it's about makin' the game more accessible 4 everyone! 
U gotta wonder wut's goin on in Pochettino's head, he sounds like he's outta touch w/ reality 
Weah's response was so nuanced & thoughtful, u gotta respect dat! 
. Weah was totally right about wanting tickets to be more affordable for fans 
. I think Fifa needs to take player feedback seriously, not just when it's convenient for them but all the time 
. And honestly, I'm kinda surprised Pep Guardiola wasn't the one who spoke up about this issue 
. players should be able to speak up about issues that affect the sport and their fans, you know? it's not just about playing on the pitch anymore 
. Weah's comments were totally reasonable and relatable - who doesn't want to watch a game with their friends and family without breaking the bank 
. anyway, i'm loving how US Soccer is all about creating space for players to speak up 
. maybe Fifa needs to take a cue from them 
fifa needs to step up & address this issue, can't have the beautiful game being inaccessible to fans because of greed 
. Weah was speaking from his heart and trying to bring attention to a real issue 
. And what's with Fifa trying to merge soccer and politics? That's like, so extra 
? I'm all about players having their say and being part of the solution 
. Weah is a total boss for speaking out and Pochettino should have been more supportive 
. Time to listen to the fans, Fifa! 
. I mean, US Soccer has been doing a great job of getting players involved in social justice initiatives and Pochettino's remark just undermines that 
. Weah's comments were thoughtful and nuanced, but Pochettino just misread the whole thing 
. I wish they'd listen to players and fans more closely instead of trying to control the narrative 
... Anyway, let's just hope Weah's comments spark some real change 
. I don't think players like Weah should be shushed when it comes to something that affects their fans directly. It's not politics, it's just common sense. And what's up with Pochettino? He seems out of touch, you know? Like, he's trying to defend Fifa but really he's just making them look bad 
Pochettino came across as totally outta touch 
! 
. It's time for FIFA to take a closer look at ticket prices and not be so tone-deaf 
. I get that players shouldn't be commenting on politics, but ticket prices are a huge issue for fans and it's not just about politics, it's about accessibility 
... it's time for Fifa to listen to their concerns 
. pochettino's response was straight up tone deaf 
️. fifa needs 2 listen 2 its players & fans more, not just try 2 control the narrative 
It's not like he's going against everything FIFA stands for, more like speaking up as a player and fan himself. The thing is, some players have been using their platforms to make a difference and it's cool that US Soccer has been supportive of that 
. That's a huge chunk of people who can't afford tickets because they're too expensive 
. This trend shows that players are becoming more vocal about issues beyond their playing careers.