FIFA president Gianni Infantino has apologised for a joke about British supporters’ behaviour and repeated his view that Russia should be allowed back into international football.
In an interview with Sky News, Infantino said his remark about the peaceful conduct of fans at the Qatar World Cup was intended to be light-hearted and he apologised after it provoked criticism. He had highlighted that no British supporters were arrested during the tournament, a comment that drew rebuke from the Football Supporters Association, which described it as a ‘cheap joke’. Infantino noted that England fans travelling to the next World Cup — to be staged across the USA, Mexico and Canada — have been largely peaceful and that their presence cheering for their team is positive.
He also defended his decision last December to give US President Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. Infantino argued that leaders who help resolve conflicts and protect lives deserve recognition, and said the award acknowledged Trump’s role in certain diplomatic efforts. The prize was presented weeks after Mr Trump had not been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Addressing calls for political boycotts of this summer’s tournament prompted by some of Mr Trump’s remarks and policies, Infantino questioned why football should be singled out as a vehicle for protest. He noted the scale of UK–US trade, citing about £330bn a year, and asked why commercial and diplomatic ties were not being questioned in the same way as sporting engagement.
On the question of Russia’s exclusion, Infantino said he is generally opposed to bans. Russia and its teams have been barred by FIFA and UEFA since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine; the conflict continues, but Infantino argued the suspension has not achieved its aims and has instead bred frustration and hatred. He suggested FIFA should reconsider rules that allow national teams to be cut off because of political actions by their governments and keep sporting channels open rather than sever ties.
The interview covered a range of topics beyond those headlines, with Infantino reiterating his broader view that football can serve as a bridge between nations even amid political tensions.