Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s recent comments about British fans’ behaviour at the World Cup have sparked a backlash from UK police chiefs. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Infantino quipped that “for the first time in history, no Brit was arrested during a World Cup” at the Qatar 2022 tournament.
The remarks, which appeared to mock the arrests of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland fans at previous World Cups, have not been well received by law enforcement officials in the UK. Police chiefs have hit back, criticising Infantino for his flippant attitude towards a serious issue.
“It’s disappointing to see the Fifa president make light of the arrests of British fans at international tournaments,” said a spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs’ Council. “While we’re pleased that there were fewer incidents in Qatar, the behaviour of a minority of supporters remains a significant concern.”
Data shows that hundreds of British fans have been arrested at recent World Cups, with alcohol-fuelled disorder and violence being major problems. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, for example, 43 England supporters were detained, many for public drunkenness and assault.
“The safety and security of fans is paramount, and the police work hard to ensure a safe environment for everyone attending these events,” the NPCC spokesperson continued. “Infantino’s comments risk trivialising the very real challenges we face in managing the behaviour of a small minority of supporters.”
Representatives from the Football Supporters’ Association also criticised Infantino, with a spokesperson describing his remarks as “crass and insensitive”. They argued that the Fifa president should be focusing on improving fan experience and safety, rather than making light of arrests.
When contacted for comment, Fifa did not directly address the police’s concerns, but a spokesperson said the organisation was “committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the best possible experience for fans at our tournaments”.
The backlash to Infantino’s comments underscores the ongoing tensions between football authorities, law enforcement, and supporters’ groups when it comes to crowd control and fan behaviour at major international competitions.
