Fifa committee urged to reshape peace prize around football’s social impact
Fifa’s inaugural peace prize for Donald Trump was, in the writer’s view, a political gesture by president Gianni Infantino, intended to keep the US president onside and protect Fifa’s interests in North America. Infantino has since handed responsibility for the award to Fifa’s social responsibility committee, creating an opportunity to reshape a prize now widely mocked and associated with political flattery.
The 22-member committee is expected to recast the award around social harmony and responsibility, possibly steering it away from politicians. The article suggests recognising football-related work with social impact, including Afghan Women United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juan Mata’s Common Goal initiative, Marcus Rashford, Sadio Mané, N’Golo Kanté and Scotland’s Tartan Army. It also notes uncertainty over Infantino’s future amid criticism of his World Cup plans and an election due in March.
In short
- Fifa’s first peace prize was awarded to Donald Trump.
- Infantino has transferred the award to a social responsibility committee.
- The writer says a redesigned prize could recognise football’s social impact.
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The case for
Fifa could make the prize more credible by recognising football work that builds social harmony and supports communities, rather than political figures. Giving the social responsibility committee a meaningful role could also show that the award reflects the sport’s values and the contributions of players, teams and supporters.
The case against
Recasting the prize around football’s social impact may not resolve concerns about how it was created or Fifa’s leadership, and could look like an attempt to repair the award’s reputation. Keeping the prize broad enough to recognise political efforts for peace could also be defensible, provided the criteria are clear and applied independently.
Explained simply
Fifa is the international body that runs football’s World Cup and sets rules for the sport. Its president, Gianni Infantino, leads the organisation, while a 22-member committee advises on social responsibility.
Football can affect communities beyond the pitch, through support for inclusion, education and people affected by conflict or poverty. Players, clubs and fan groups have backed projects in these areas, including Juan Mata’s Common Goal initiative, which encourages football figures to donate part of their earnings.
How Fifa recognises such work matters because its awards can shape how the organisation presents its role in society. The debate also comes as Infantino faces scrutiny over his leadership and Fifa’s plans for future World Cups.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Trump’s Fifa peace prize was a sham. A reimagined award can still have meaning | Leander Schaerlaeckens”.