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Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian football federation, has urged FIFA to scrap its Peace Prize — awarded in its first edition to U.S. President Donald Trump in December — arguing that the accolade carries "no legitimacy."
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has also faced criticism for establishing the award, which both Klaveness and FairSquare, a non-profit human rights group, contend violates FIFA's own statutes.
"The problem is that FIFA, through its president, has broken rules on political neutrality by handing out this peace prize," Klaveness told Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Monday. "We are requesting that the Ethics Committee look into this."
When asked whether the Peace Prize should be discontinued entirely, Klaveness was unequivocal. "Absolutely," she said. "We oppose its very creation. It had no foundation in the FIFA Congress. It carries no legitimacy, and it clearly falls outside FIFA's mandate. It is a serious issue that a political award was introduced without any proper basis.
"We raised this at the board meeting. We have resolved to back this effort, and we will send a letter to FIFA requesting that the Ethics Committee examine this complaint."
Why Was President Trump Given the FIFA Peace Prize?
The FIFA Peace Prize was shrouded in ambiguity from the moment it was announced. No official criteria were ever published, and it had been widely understood for months that Trump would be the inaugural recipient — long before he was presented with a medal and an oversized trophy depicting hands grasping a golden globe at the World Cup Draw.
Helpfully, for the countless bewildered observers, Infantino had also prepared a certificate for Trump, outlining the reasons for his selection, which he proceeded to read aloud.
"The FIFA Peace Prize is presented annually on behalf of the billions of football-loving people from around the world to a distinguished individual who exemplifies an unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world, through their notable leadership and action," Infantino declared.
"Like everyone here in the room," the FIFA president went on, "we see images of war all over the world. And like everyone, we suffer for every child that dies. We cry with every mother that loses someone she loves. And we want to see hope. We want to see unity. We want to see a future.
"And I was fortunate, Mr. President, to witness — a few years ago — the Abraham Accord signatures, a few months ago in Sharm el-Sheikh, the peace in the Middle East agreement regarding Gaza. I was in Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur for the peace between Cambodia and Thailand, and yesterday here in Washington, the Washington Peace Agreement between Rwanda and the DRC."
"You absolutely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your actions," Infantino added to muted applause, "for what you have achieved in your own way — and you achieved it in a remarkable way. And you can always count, Mr. President, on my support, on the support of the entire football community — or soccer community — to help you make peace and make the world prosper all over the world."
'Pressure on FIFA Increases'
FairSquare CEO Nick McGeehan expressed optimism that Norway's public backing — as one of the 48 nations set to compete at this summer's World Cup — would lend greater weight to the complaint against Infantino. "This is very encouraging news," McGeehan told NRK.
"It certainly raises the pressure on FIFA to follow through. It's heartening that there are people within football who are taking this seriously and want to hold FIFA accountable, insisting that they abide by their own rules and that the process be conducted in an open and transparent way.
"I think this will be a headache for FIFA, because it generates real political pressure. It's an entirely different situation when it comes from a football association. They can brush aside a complaint when it originates from us, but when it comes from an association that also has a board member at UEFA, it carries a far greater level of gravity."
Both FairSquare and Norway's federation cite Article 15 of FIFA's Code of Ethics, which stipulates that employees of world football's governing body must "remain politically neutral" and "generally act in a manner compatible with their function and integrity." Violations can result in a fine of $12,730 (10,000 CHF) and "a ban on taking part in any football-related activity for a maximum of two years."
This is not, however, the first time Infantino has faced accusations of breaching political neutrality. Similar allegations surfaced in February when the Swiss official was photographed wearing a red "USA" cap bearing "45–47" on the side — a piece of Trump Store merchandise referencing Trump's status as both the 45th and 47th president. The International Olympic Committee ultimately cleared Infantino of any wrongdoing on that occasion.