Infantino urged to overhaul or scrap Fifa peace prize

Senior Fifa figures have urged Gianni Infantino to scrap the peace prize or depoliticise it after its presentation to Donald Trump sparked controversy. Council members returned to the issue during a series of questions about possible conflicts of interest within Fifa, but the facts reported do not indicate that a final decision has been made.

Several council members want the award abolished, while others favour making it less political. Fifa’s social responsibility committee is due to make a recommendation before the council’s next meeting in Doha on 16 December. The committee has 22 members and is dominated by representatives of countries loyal to Infantino. Abolition could therefore be avoided because it might be seen as a humiliation for Fifa’s president, although there is broad acceptance that change is needed.

The prize has drawn criticism because of its association with Trump. Some council members fear the US president could trigger a diplomatic crisis if he disapproves of the next recipient. One council member said the most likely option discussed was to reshape the prize into an award for someone in football who had done exceptional work promoting social harmony and responsibility, with politicians barred from receiving it.

Fifa introduced the prize last November as a way to recognise exceptional actions for peace and unity. Trump received it at the men’s World Cup draw in Washington last December. Article 2 of Fifa’s statutes prohibits political or governmental interference in football, one reason the award prompted a strong backlash.