FIFA President Infantino Apologises Over British Fans Comment

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologised for remarks he made about British football supporters while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month.

Infantino previously said that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was special because it was “the first time in history no Brit was arrested,” a comment that drew sharp criticism from fan groups and police leaders in the UK, who described it as a “cheap joke” and “neither helpful nor accurate.”

In an interview with Sky News, Infantino said he regretted offending fans and clarified that his comment was intended to highlight how peacefully the Qatar tournament unfolded.

“I need first to apologise,” he said, explaining that the remark was meant to show that the World Cup was a celebration where “everyone came together in a peaceful way.” He also spoke warmly about English supporters who travel to matches and cheer on their teams.

The apology came alongside Infantino’s defence of other controversial decisions, including awarding U.S. President Donald Trump the first-ever FIFA peace prize — a move he said was justified because of Trump’s role in facilitating high-level peace talks — and rejecting calls for a boycott of the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

Infantino also reiterated his view that football can help unite people across political divides, and discussed the possibility of lifting Russia’s ban from international competition, a topic that has drawn criticism from officials in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Overall, the apology reflects an attempt by FIFA’s president to smooth relations with fans ahead of the next World Cup, even as debates continue over the organisation’s broader political and sporting decisions.