FIFA President Gianni Infantino has formally apologised for what he described as a 'cheap joke' directed at British football supporters, following significant backlash over his remarks last month.
Controversial Comments and Apology
During a recent interview with Sky News, Infantino addressed the controversy stemming from his comments about the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Swiss-born football chief had previously stated: "For the first time in history... no Brit was arrested during a World Cup. Imagine! This is something really, really special."
Infantino acknowledged that his attempt at humour had misfired, explaining that the remark was "meant to be more of a light-hearted comment" but had instead caused offence. He specifically apologised to supporters from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, emphasising that offending them was "not my intention."
Clarifying His Position on Fan Behaviour
The FIFA president went further to clarify his views on football-related disorder, stating: "I'm a huge fan of English football." He admitted he had been wrong to refer to English people who "just go and riot around the world" at football matches as fans, instead labelling such individuals as "criminals."
Defending the Donald Trump Peace Prize Decision
In the same wide-ranging interview, Infantino addressed the considerable criticism FIFA faced after awarding former US President Donald Trump with the organisation's inaugural peace prize.
"Whatever we can do to help peace in the world, we should be doing it," Infantino explained. "For this reason, for some time we were thinking about whether we should do something to reward people who do something."
He claimed that Trump "objectively deserved it" and was "instrumental in resolving conflicts and saving lives and saving thousands of lives."
Potential Policy Changes and International Stances
Infantino also revealed several significant policy considerations currently under review at FIFA headquarters:
- Russia's Ban: The FIFA president indicated he is examining the possibility of lifting the ban on Russia competing in FIFA tournaments. Russia's national teams have been suspended by both FIFA and UEFA since 2022 following the country's invasion of Ukraine. "We have to," Infantino stated. "Definitely... Because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred."
- Israel's Status: Contrary to calls for Israel's exclusion amid the war in Gaza, Infantino argued that banning the country would represent a "defeat." He suggested FIFA should consider changing its rules to "enshrine in our statutes that we should actually never ban any country from playing football because of the acts of their political leaders." He added: "Somebody needs to keep the ties open."
- World Cup Boycott Calls: The FIFA chief dismissed suggestions to boycott this summer's World Cup in North America, declaring: "I think, in our divided world, in our aggressive world, we need occasions where people can come, can meet around the passion for football."
As Infantino approaches his tenth anniversary as FIFA's president, these statements reveal both a willingness to address past controversies and a clear vision for football's role in global geopolitics.
