FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has apologised over remarks he made about British football fans.
Speaking at last month’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Infantino said the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 had been special because ‘for the first time in history no Brit was arrested’.
His comments were described as a ‘cheap’ joke at the expense of fans by the Football Supporters’ Association, while the UK’s football policing lead, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, said they were ‘neither helpful nor accurate’, given the record of fans at tournaments before Qatar and since.
Infantino was asked about the comments in an interview with Sky News and said: ‘I need first to apologise.
‘It was meant to be more of a light-hearted remark to show that actually the World Cup in Qatar was a celebration, was a peaceful event and everyone came together in a peaceful way.
‘So having English fans – real fans – coming in a peaceful way and enjoying and cheering for their team is something that is fantastic.’
He also defended his decision to award US President Donald Trump with the inaugural FIFA peace prize at December’s World Cup draw in Washington, DC, with the move further questioned after US forces seized Venezuelan President Miguel Maduro and after Trump issued threats around military force to seize Greenland.
Infantino told Sky News: ‘Objectively, he deserves it.’
The Swiss spoke about the role Trump played in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, adding: ‘He was instrumental in resolving conflicts and saving lives and saving thousands of lives.’
Infantino also said his organisation and UEFA would ‘have to’ look at allowing Russia back into international football.
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