FIFA President Gianni Infantino maintains a close relationship with US President Donald Trump. There is hardly any criticism of this in world football – but now the Swedish association is speaking out.
Simon Åström, President of the Swedish Football Association was featured in the Swedish portal “Fotbolskanalen” asked for his opinion on the FIFA Peace Prize and Infantino’s appearance in Trump’s so-called Peace Council.
Sweden’s association head: “Don’t think this is the right way”
“We firmly reject that. The statutes clearly state that football should serve as a unifying force.”said Åström. “We shouldn’t be political, but we shouldn’t be naive either. It’s clear that football and politics are often closely intertwined. But the awarding of a peace prize or the promotion of this new peace council is a clear violation of political neutrality. We don’t think that’s the right path.” Åström ruled out a boycott of the World Cup.
Norway’s association president Lise Klaveness had previously expressed contradiction. With regard to the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize in Washington, she said: “I felt the painful feeling of being hostage to something that is obviously wrong. The feeling that the Emperor is not just walking around naked, but is leading us in a dangerous direction and at the same time that he is unstoppable. At least not there and then.”
Infantino with great proximity to Trump
FIFA President Infantino awarded Trump the so-called FIFA Peace Prize in December as part of the World Cup draw. Trump had previously clearly claimed the Nobel Peace Prize – but did not get it.
Infantino countered the Nobel Committee’s decision with an alternative prize. He later also supported the creation of Trump’s Peace Council – a parallel structure to the United Nations bodies. The federal government is not part of the committee; FIFA is now considered an official partner. Infantino pledged to raise $75 million from donors for the peace council.
FIFA emphasizes: Good relationships ensure a smooth tournament
In recent months, FIFA has rejected criticism of the close relationship between Trump and Infantino. The world association emphasized that a good relationship with the government of a host country is important for the smooth running of a tournament.
US President Donald Trump with FIFA President Gianni Infantino
FIFA expects record revenue of $9 billion from the World Cup this summer. A large portion of the money flows back to the national associations, including those from Norway and Sweden and the DFB.
DFB without criticism of Infantino and Trump
He has so far held back from criticism. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, a member of the FIFA Council led by Infantino, has so far refused to classify the political processes in the USA.
Regarding the FIFA Peace Prize, Neuendorf highlighted Trump’s mediation in the Gaza war after the draw in December. “We were all happy together when the conflict in the Middle East ended that an agreement was signed here. You have to be honest, that would not have been possible without the USA and without the President’s commitment. In this respect, what happened is commendable.”said Neuendorf.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (l.) and DFB President Bernd Neuendorf at the 2022 World Cup
Neuendorf confirmed in the WDR podcast “Simply Football”that the FIFA Council did not discuss the award as a whole, nor the criteria or nominations for the award. “Of course it was previously known that Donald Trump should receive this award.” He reiterated his words from December.
