FIFA’s ‘Peace Prize’ to be ‘abolished’ one year after controversial recipient

US President Donald Trump could likely remain the sole recipient to ever receive FIFA‘s controversial ‘Peace Prize’ after multiple council members called for the honour to be “abolished”. 

During Friday AEDT’s FIFA council meeting, President Gianni Infantino faced mounting pressure from members who demanded the award be drastically overhauled or scrapped entirely. 

Several council members called for the prize to be abolished, while others pushed to depoliticise it completely. 

The most likely compromise discussed is reinventing the honour to recognise individuals within the football community who promote social harmony and responsibility, with a strict provision barring politicians from consideration. 

The internal backlash against last year’s decision stems largely from FIFA’s statutes, which strictly prohibits political or governmental interference in the sport. 

The murky selection process further fuelled the controversy; Infantino presented the US president with a golden trophy, a medal and a certificate at the men’s World Cup draw in Washington last December, yet the criteria behind his selection were never made public. 

At its inception, world soccer’s governing body stated the award would honour individuals who, “through their unwavering commitment and their special actions, have helped to unite people all over the world in peace.”

In an ironic move, the distinction was awarded to Trump just months before his administration launched airstrikes in Iran, igniting a conflict that remains ongoing.

Speaking after Friday’s meeting, Debbie Hewitt, a FIFA vice-president and chair of the English Football Association, detailed the governing body's next steps to investigate the award's legitimacy and future. 

“There’s a decision taken to look at the peace prize and to take that through the social committee,” Hewitt told media. 

“That was another issue that was raised: whether there should have been one, how the decision was taken to award it, and whether there should be another one. And those questions will be answered through the social committee.”