An 11-metre effigy of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, depicted with money spilling out of his ears, has been unveiled ahead of a Kent town's Bonfire Night festivities. The divisive football figure is portrayed clutching a golden sculpture of US President Donald Trump's head, taking a swipe at the "Fifa Peace Prize".
The statue of Mr Infantino is also shown holding a "red card hotline" token alongside a "Presidents for Dummies" book. At the base of the figure sits a wheelie bin containing a Manchester City shirt and a traffic light.
Bonfire Night Focal Point
The imposing creation, unveiled on Wednesday, will serve as the focal point of Edenbridge's Bonfire Night celebrations on November 7. Andrea Deans, one of the effigy's creators and co-chair of the Bonfire Society, said: "I have enjoyed moving away from the traditional political figures we have seen at our event over the last few years, and Gianni Infantino has been a great figure to caricature."
Edenbridge Bonfire Society has been lampooning celebrities and politicians through its effigies since 1994, having previously targeted Mr Trump, Liz Truss, Harvey Weinstein, Katie Hopkins and Sir Sadiq Khan. Last year featured a towering effigy of then prime minister Sir Keir Starmer sporting a "farmer harmer" badge, with a digital ID card tucked into his belt.
Controversies and Context
Mr Infantino, who has been at the helm of Fifa since 2016, has been embroiled in numerous controversies this year and stands accused of attempting to personally profit from his position as the organisation's president. Printed on the mock "Presidents for Dummies" book displayed on the effigy is the phrase "how to make billions".
Following this summer's men's World Cup, Mr Infantino had intended to pursue private investment in a company to oversee the tournament's commercial operations. This sparked outrage throughout the footballing world, with the Swiss president accused of attempting to "sell off" the game. This came in the wake of controversy surrounding American striker Folarin Balogun's red card during the World Cup, with Mr Trump openly admitting he had asked Mr Infantino to reconsider the ruling.
Society's Statement
Bill Cummings, Chair of the Bonfire Society, said: "We are really pleased with this decision and happy that many people will be able to see exactly why we have made this choice. What Mr Infantino has become infamous for is not confined to the world of football. Even those who don't follow the game will be aware of some of the underhand activities he has been involved in."
Edenbridge Bonfire Society has been marking Bonfire Night for nearly 100 years, though the tradition of burning oversized effigies only began in the mid-1990s. Sir Winston Churchill is amongst a number of notable figures to have officially opened the Kent town's Bonfire Night festivities.
