Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, has issued an apology following backlash over remarks he made about British football supporters, which drew criticism from fan groups.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland last month, Infantino described it as “really special” that no British nationals were arrested during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
His comments resurfaced amid growing concerns over the rising cost of attending matches at the 2026 World Cup, prompting the Football Supporters’ Association to accuse him of “making cheap jokes about our fans” instead of “making cheap tickets”.
In an interview with Sky News, Infantino said the remarks were “meant to be more of a light-hearted remark”, explaining that he was trying to underline how the Qatar World Cup “was a celebration” and “a peaceful event”.
He apologised specifically to fans from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, stressing it was “not my intention” to offend them.
The 55-year-old admitted he was wrong to suggest English fans “just go and riot around the world”, adding that portraying them as “criminals” was unfair. He also said he was a “huge fan of English football”.
Infantino further defended Fifa’s decision to present US President Donald Trump with the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw last December.
The award was intended for an individual who had “taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace” and “united people across the world”.
While acknowledging there had been a “strong reaction” to the move, Infantino insisted that “objectively” Trump “deserves it”, claiming he was “instrumental in resolving conflicts and saving lives and saving thousands of lives”.
On Russia, the Fifa president said the organisation will “definitely” consider lifting its ban, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Russian clubs and national teams were suspended by Fifa and Uefa in February 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.
Infantino argued the ban “has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred”, adding that allowing Russian children to play football across Europe “would help”.
He also opposed calls to ban Israel from international football and said Fifa should explore changing its statutes to prevent boycotts.
“We should actually never ban any country from playing football because of the acts of their political leaders,” Infantino said, adding: “Somebody needs to keep the ties open.”
