UK Police Chiefs Condemn FIFA President's "Unhelpful" Remarks on British Fans
Senior British police officials have issued a stern rebuke to FIFA President Gianni Infantino following comments he made at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. The football governing body's chief sparked controversy by joking about the behaviour of supporters from England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland during international tournaments.
Davos Comments Draw Police Criticism
During his appearance at the prestigious gathering in Switzerland, Infantino quipped that "for the first time in history, no Brit was arrested during a World Cup" at the Qatar 2022 tournament. He described this statistic as "something really, really special," prompting an immediate response from UK law enforcement leaders.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, who serves as the football policing lead for the National Police Chiefs' Council, expressed his disappointment with the remarks. "Whilst these things may be said in jest, it is neither helpful or accurate to make this sort of comment," Roberts stated firmly to the Press Association.
Historical Context and Recent Statistics
Infantino's comments reference a historical period when British clubs faced European competition bans due to hooliganism problems. However, Chief Constable Roberts was quick to provide context with recent data that paints a different picture of contemporary fan behaviour.
According to police records, only 25 fans from the Home Nations have been apprehended during the last four men's World Cup tournaments combined. Roberts provided a detailed breakdown of these figures:
- Qatar 2022: No arrests of English or Welsh fans
- Russia 2018: Three England fans arrested for very minor offences
- Brazil 2014: Fifteen arrests, of which seven were ticket touts
- South Africa 2010: Seven arrests for minor matters
"For the record, 'British' fans behaving at World Cups is the norm, not something special," Roberts emphasised. "Given the high number of fans who travel and pay a lot of money to get to World Cups, there are many, many other countries who are more problematic for hosts."
Potential Motivations Behind the Comments
Observers suggest Infantino's remarks may represent thinly-veiled retribution for sustained criticism from British media outlets directed at both him and FIFA's leadership. The Swiss administrator has faced scrutiny on multiple fronts since assuming control of football's global governing body.
Among the contentious issues that have attracted British media attention are:
- The awarding of World Cup hosting duties to authoritarian regimes including Qatar and Saudi Arabia
- Infantino's perceived closeness to former US President Donald Trump
- Significant increases in ticket prices for FIFA tournaments
- Expansion of the football calendar despite growing concerns about player welfare
World Cup Preparations and Qualifications
Infantino made his controversial comments while attempting to reassure attendees about the upcoming World Cup in North America. Speaking at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, he praised the smooth operation of the Qatar 2022 tournament as evidence that major events can proceed without significant incidents.
"When the ball started rolling and the magic started, we had virtually no incidents," Infantino told the Davos audience before making his remarks about British fans.
This summer's tournament will be primarily hosted in the United States, with additional matches taking place in Canada and Mexico. England and Scotland have already secured qualification, while Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland remain in contention to join them through playoff matches.
The police response highlights ongoing tensions between football's international governing bodies and British authorities who have invested significant resources in improving fan behaviour and safety at major tournaments over recent decades.
