FIFA issues strong statement over calls to remove peace prize from Donald Trump
FIFA has issued a statement after calls to remove the inaugural FIFA peace prize from Donald Trump.
A lot has changed since the US president, 79, was awarded the prize by FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the World Cup draw in December.
At the time, Infantino praised the Republican leader for his role in the Middle East peace negotiations and his work to bring the Ukraine-Russia conflict to an end.
During the ceremony in Washington, Trump went on to say he had saved 'tens of millions of lives' through his interventions.
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"This is truly one of the great honours of my life," he said ahead of the World Cup - hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Some of Trump's travel restrictions have now come into force, which means that certain groups of fans cannot visit the country to watch their team.
Trump also faced backlash after the US captured Venezuela president Nicolás Maduro on drug trafficking charges before large-scale military strikes on the capital.
And the latest flashpoint comes as Trump continues to demand that the US takes control of Greenland, which has led to him slapping tariffs on eight European counties for opposing his plans, including the UK.
FairSquare, a group which seeks to promote greater accountability in sport, has accused Infantino of breaching FIFA's rules on political neutrality.
Responding to the backlash, FIFA has doubled-down on its decision to give Trump the peace prize.
"FIFA strongly supports its annual peace prize, an award to recognise exceptional actions for peace and unity. FIFA notes the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize recipient [the Venezuelan opposition leader, María Corina Machado] has given her medal to President Trump," a FIFA spokesperson said.
"FIFA has strong relations with President Trump, along with leaders from fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico.
"This has resulted in good working relationships leading to, for example in the US, the formation of the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup."
The Trump administration is now indefinitely suspending immigrant visa processing from 75 countries to 'ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people' - and it will likely affect World Cup fans.
The restrictions, which come into place this week, are intended to 'protect the security of the United States', the White House said.
Haiti and Iran have been hit with a full ban, while Ivory Coast and Senegal currently have a partial ban after all four countries qualified for the World Cup.
Lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, diplomats and athletes travelling for major sporting events are exceptions.
Applicants from the following countries will be affected by the decision, which goes into effect on 21 January:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Burma
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Congo
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
Topics: Donald Trump, Sport, Football, World Cup, US News, Politics
Anish Vij