Key Takeaways
- Fifa council members demand major changes or abolition of the peace prize.
- Gianni Infantino instructed to address the controversy surrounding the award.
- Recommendations to be made by the football social responsibility committee.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was instructed by top council members to either scrap or depoliticise the controversial peace prize, following backlash over its recent award to US President Donald Trump.
At a meeting of the Fifa council on Thursday, several members called for the award to be abolished, while others suggested it be made less political, with the football social responsibility committee to make recommendations before the next council meeting in Doha on 16 December.
The Guardian reports that the council’s decision stems from a significant backlash against the award, which is typically given to political leaders for their contributions to peace and social responsibility.
Infantino, who is under pressure to address the controversy, is now tasked with making the necessary changes to the award to ensure its continued relevance and integrity.
The peace prize has been a subject of debate in recent years, with some critics arguing that it should not be given to political leaders due to the potential for conflicts of interest and the politicisation of the award.
By depoliticising the prize, Fifa hopes to maintain its focus on promoting peace and social responsibility through football, rather than being entangled in political disputes.
The decision to involve the football social responsibility committee in the process is seen as a step towards ensuring that the award remains focused on its original purpose.
Infantino will need to navigate these challenges carefully to maintain the credibility of the peace prize and address the concerns raised by the council members.
