Gianni Infantino: Fifa president apologises for comments about British football fans

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has apologised for controversial comments he made about British football supporters which were criticised by fan groups.

At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland last month, Infantino said it was “really special” no British nationals were arrested during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Amid concerns over the cost to attend matches at this summer’s 2026 World Cup, the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) responded by saying the Swiss-Italian should “concentrate on making cheap tickets” as opposed to “making cheap jokes about our fans”.

In an interview with Sky News, external, Infantino said his comments were “meant to be more of a light-hearted remark” to highlight how the Qatar tournament “was a celebration” and “a peaceful event”.

As he said sorry to fans from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the first instance, the 55-year-old said it was “not my intention” to cause offence to them.

Infantino added he was a “huge fan of English football” and had been wrong to say English people “just go and riot around the world” at football matches as fans, referring to them as “criminals” instead.

The head of world football’s governing body also defended the decision to award US President Donald Trump the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize before the draw last December for the 2026 World Cup.

The award was to be given to a person who had “taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace” and “united people across the world”.

Infantino acknowledged there had been a “strong reaction” to the decision, but said “objectively” Trump “deserves it” because he was “instrumental in resolving conflicts and saving lives and saving thousands of lives”.