PARTICIPATION TROPHY: CRITICS MOCK DONALD TRUMP'S FIFA "PEACE" AWARD
FIFA President Gianni Infantino honoured President Donald Trump for advancing peace, a move critics immediately slammed as "ridiculous" and a political favour to the Nobel-less president.
President Donald Trump received the first FIFA Peace Prize on Friday for his unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world, leading to eye rolls from his critics.
Trump, who wanted the Nobel Peace Prize but didn't get it, was honoured by FIFA, international soccer's governing body, at the 2026 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino told Trump, You deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for what you have done...in an incredible way. You can always count on my support, and the support of the entire soccer community, to help you make peace and make the world better.
Infantino said the award, created this year, is given yearly on behalf of the billions of soccer fans worldwide to recognise someone who shows a commitment to promoting peace and unity through leadership and action.
So, FIFA gives the 2025 FIFA Peace Prize, Football Unites the World, to Donald J. Trump, president of the United States of America, for his exceptional actions to promote peace and unity globally, Infantino said.
Trump, who claims to have helped end eight foreign wars, said the award was one of the great honours of my life.
We saved millions of lives. For example, in the Congo, over 10 million people were killed, and it was about to be another 10 million quickly.
India-Pakistan, many wars that we were able to end, sometimes just before they started...
Trump's critics say FIFA created the prize to please the president.
MeidasTouch, an anti-Trump media group, tweeted, Humiliating for everyone involved.
Liberal influencer Brian Krassenstein tweeted, "FIFA just made up a 'peace prize' to kiss Trump's butt, while Trump just killed four civilians in international waters," referring to boat bombings in the Caribbean.
The X account Patriot Takes added, FIFA made up a 'peace prize' just for Trump. Dictators do this kind of ridiculous thing.
Ron Filipkowski, a Republican who now criticises Trump, said it reminded him of my days as a T-ball coach handing out participation trophies at the end-of-season pizza party.
"The happiest I've ever seen Trump was when he put this fake medal around his neck," he added.
Liberal influencer Joanne Carducci said the ceremony was so f------ embarrassing.
WILFRIED NANCY: CELTIC BOSS BLOCKS OUT ALL "NOISE" AND CRITICISM AFTER HEARTS LOSS
After the heat following the Hearts' loss, Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy stated he has "blocked everything out," including social media criticism, to focus solely on the team's performance.
Celtic's head coach, Wilfried Nancy, said he tunes out all the noise when making decisions as a manager.
This comes after the Frenchman faced some heat after a 2-1 loss to Heart of Midlothian in his first game with the Glasgow team.
Before the Europa League match against AS Roma, Nancy said he doesn't pay attention to what others think.
When asked if those opinions bother him, he told a press conference, "That's a good question."
I'll be honest.
Every team I've coached—when I decided to become a coach—well, when I had the chance to become a coach, I'd been an assistant for seven years, working with many coaches.
I always told myself that when I became a coach, I'd block everything out. And that's exactly what I did.
He said he's built a wall between himself and any outside opinions, even online criticism.
I've blocked anything on Twitter that mentions my name, the club, or what people are saying.
People can say what they want. It's part of the job, and that's what we prepare for. I'm not here to comment on everything.
The manager explained that ignoring public opinion helps him focus on what he can control to improve how the team plays.
He used an analogy about how everyone has different tastes, like when people have different experiences with the same food.
We could visit a restaurant together, and you might love the food, while I don't.
Get what I mean? You like it, and I don't.
Nancy made his goals clear: he's focused on his players and the club and wants to do his best to give good performances.
He wrapped up by saying, At the end of the day, it's part of the job. I control what I can to be good with my players, my club, and the people I work with and to make sure we have the best chance of winning by playing well.
His team will play AS Roma in the Europa League tomorrow.
PEACE PRIZE SCRUTINY: FIFA FACES FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT UNILATERAL DONALD TRUMP AWARD
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is accused of four breaches of the ethics code by FairSquare, including awarding the first FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump at the World Cup draw.
After the World Cup draw last week, FIFA is facing a formal complaint about political neutrality. FairSquare, a nonprofit, sent FIFA’s Ethics Committee a detailed letter pointing out four possible violations by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the event, one of which was giving out the FIFA Peace Prize.
Calls for FIFA to Look Into It
FairSquare's complaint follows the World Cup draw. At the event, the awarding of the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize was part of several mentions of President Donald Trump. FIFA said the award recognised Trump’s work in promoting peace and unity around the world.
FairSquare believes that giving the prize, along with other things that happened during the event, might have gone against FIFA’s policy of being politically neutral. They've requested the ethics committee to look into the decision to create and give out the FIFA Peace Prize and whether it followed FIFA’s rules.
Infantino and Trump
Infantino and Trump have met a few times over the years, which isn't unusual, as FIFA presidents often meet with leaders from different countries. During the draw, Infantino made some comments about Trump.
He said he was surprised by negative comments about Trump. He stated that, regardless of not being American, Trump was elected in the United States, and one should respect the results of a democratic election.
FairSquare's complaint argues that these statements show a political stance, breaking FIFA’s neutrality rules.
FIFA's Ethics Code
FIFA's ethics code says that the organisation should stay neutral when it comes to politics. It specifically says FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion, also requiring everyone bound by the code to remain politically neutral when dealing with government groups.
Infantino has met with Trump a few times, including an invitation to the presidential inauguration and visits to the Oval Office.
Acting Alone
The Peace Prize given to Trump has been questioned, as it seems it was decided on and awarded without talking to senior FIFA officials. High-ranking FIFA officials were unaware of the award before its announcement. The award was revealed on the same day Infantino spoke at an event in the United States.