The Swedish Football Association (SvFF) has voiced strong criticism of FIFA's recent political actions, including a peace prize awarded to Donald Trump and a partnership with his Board of Peace. SvFF chairman Simon Åström says the organization has conveyed its disapproval both privately and publicly. Under FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is up for re-election next year, FIFA has taken several controversial steps.
These include awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, banning Pride-colored captain's armbands at the World Cup in Qatar, and instituting a peace prize that went to Donald Trump. FIFA also announced a partnership with Board of Peace, Donald Trump's alternative security council, to fund new football pitches in war-torn Gaza. Simon Åström, chairman of SvFF, is critical of FIFA's partnership with Board of Peace.
We have not had that discussion yet.
'We welcome initiatives where football can be part of the reconstruction of Gaza. That is in line with a responsibility FIFA should be able to take. But we do not think it is right to so clearly operate within the framework of Board of Peace.
It becomes a political stance similar to those we have been critical of earlier,' Åström said. He added, 'It is something we do not sympathize with. ' Åström believes that awarding a peace prize or promoting Board of Peace is a clear overstep into becoming political.
We welcome initiatives where football can be part of the reconstruction of Gaza. That is in line with a responsibility FIFA should be able to take. But we do not think it is right to so clearly operate within the framework of Board of Peace. It becomes a political stance similar to those we have been critical of earlier.
Regarding the peace prize, Åström has not received exact clarity on how the process for nominating and awarding it went. He understands those who have opinions about Donald Trump receiving the peace prize, but SvFF's criticism is about it being wrong to award the prize regardless of who receives it. The Swedish Football Association has a history of caution regarding FIFA and Infantino.
When Saudi Arabia was awarded the 2034 World Cup in December 2024, SvFF wanted more clarity about the decision-making process, but did not receive it. Åström experiences that FIFA has respect for SvFF's viewpoints and is receptive to listening to criticism.