FIFA urged to scrap its Peace Prize after Trump controversy by Norwegian football chief

Call to Abolish FIFA's Peace Prize

According to Главком: Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, has called on FIFA to eliminate its own Peace Prize following a scandal tied to the award's inaugural presentation to U.S. President Donald Trump. The ceremony took place in December last year during the draw for the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting. The Norwegian Football Federation has backed demands for an investigation launched by the organization FairSquare, which filed a complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

In her statement, Klaveness emphasized that awarding such prizes 'draws football into high-level politics and exceeds FIFA's mandate.' She also noted that 'determining the recipients of these awards requires deep expertise, specialized juries, and transparent criteria-elements FIFA lacks.' According to Klaveness, without these components, the honors become purely political tools.

Ethical Concerns and Prize Fund

The Norwegian Football Federation believes that football should concentrate on its own resources and objectives, steering clear of 'sensitive political games that damage global sports' reputation.' The complaint from FairSquare focuses on violations of FIFA's ethical codes regarding political impartiality. Meanwhile, FIFA plans to increase the World Cup prize fund, initially set at $727 million, after receiving the complaints.

This incident underscores the need for a clear separation between sports and politics, as involving political figures in sports awards can erode trust in organizations responsible for developing athletics.

The ongoing debate on this issue could lead to a review of FIFA's ethical standards, which in turn may influence future decisions on awards and their distribution.