FIFA president Gianni Infantino has issued a rare apology after facing backlash for remarks that were widely interpreted as a cheap shot at British fans, comments that originally surfaced during the Qatar World Cup.
Infantino's clarification comes months after the initial statement drew criticism, with many supporters feeling the comment unfairly targeted England fans rather than celebrating tournament security.
Photo by Jamie Sabau – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
In an interview covered by Sky Sports , Infantino acknowledged that his words had not landed as intended and said he felt it was important to address the reaction directly.
"I need first to apologise. It was meant to be more of a light-hearted remark to show that actually the World Cup in Qatar was a celebration, was a peaceful event and everyone came together in a peaceful way.
"So having English fans – real fans – coming in a peaceful way and enjoying and cheering for their team is something that is fantastic," Infantino said.
The FIFA president stressed that his intention was to highlight the atmosphere of the tournament rather than single out supporters.
He framed the apology as a recognition that humour can sometimes miss its mark, especially when spoken from a position of authority.
The comments that sparked controversy were originally made during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Infantino was reflecting on security and fan behaviour at the tournament.
"For the first time in history, no Brit was arrested during a World Cup. Imagine! This is something really, really special," the FIFA boss said in 2022.
At the time, the remark was intended to underline the absence of major crowd-related incidents.
However, it was widely criticised for reinforcing stereotypes about British supporters rather than praising their conduct. In hindsight, Infantino's apology signals an attempt to reset that narrative.
By revisiting the comment years later, he acknowledged that even remarks framed as jokes can carry unintended implications.
The episode has become a reminder of how closely scrutinised FIFA leadership statements remain, particularly when they touch on national fan bases and football culture.
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