Australia midfielder Jackson Irvine has condemned Fifa's decision to award a peace prize to US President Donald Trump, calling it a 'mockery' of football's human rights commitments. The St Pauli captain, who is on track for his third World Cup appearance, made the comments ahead of this year's tournament in the United States.
Speaking to Reuters, Irvine said the award undermines Fifa's efforts to use football as a force for good. 'Decisions like this make a mockery of what they're trying to do with the human rights charter,' he said. Fifa president Gianni Infantino defended the prize, citing Trump's role in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Irvine, a senior figure in the global players' union Fifpro, has a history of speaking out on human rights. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he and his Socceroos teammates raised concerns about migrant workers and LGBTI+ rights. He now worries about similar issues in the US, where 'rights are being taken away all over the country'.
The midfielder acknowledged the polarised environment around politics in sport, noting that some players face backlash for expressing opinions. 'People really actively dislike players trying to bring politics into sport,' he said. Fifa has yet to decide whether players can wear armbands supporting social causes at this year's World Cup.
