Piers Morgan returned to Good Morning Britain today and offered advice to new Prime Minister Andy Burnham on handling US President Donald Trump, following Trump's controversial appearance at the World Cup final.
Trump's World Cup Photobomb
During the World Cup final, Trump crashed the victory photo of winners Spain, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino attempting to pull him out of the shot. GMB host Susanna Reid noted the incident, and Morgan responded: "When you see Gianni Infantino wrestling him away, if it's too bad for even Infantino, you know there's a problem."
Morgan added: "It was classic Trump. He obviously wants to make an impression. The World Cup itself was one of the greats, as a football fan, and I was so happy that the worst losers imaginable (Argentina) didn't win. Great to see Spain win."
Advice for Burnham
As Burnham prepares to meet the King and navigate relations with the US, Morgan shared his personal experience: "I've had falling outs with Trump but I've maintained a good friendship with him. I was texting him the other day. You can do it but you've got to be very thick skinned."
Falklands Banner Controversy
The discussion also turned to Argentina's players holding a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (The Falklands are Argentine) after their win against England. The White House defended the action, with Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House FIFA task force, stating: "We believe in our First Amendment rights here in the United States of America."
Downing Street backed calls for FIFA to investigate, with the prime minister's official spokesperson saying: "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver."
The Falkland Islands government expressed disappointment, urging FIFA to "sanction all behaviour of this nature in line with its own rules" and noting: "We do not wish to see politics being brought into sport."
Argentina's president defended the players, stating that in a "worst case scenario" they would face a £20,000 fine from FIFA, adding: "It is perfectly valid and legitimate for the players to want to express themselves... The things that happen on the field with the players are not part of diplomacy."
