Football policing lead criticises FIFA president’s comments on British fans
Britain’s football policing lead has hit back at FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s joke about British fans’ behaviour at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, describing it as “neither helpful nor accurate,” reports BritPanorama.
Infantino aimed a jibe at UK supporters during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, ahead of the 2026 North American World Cup. He noted that the finals in Qatar were special because “no Brit was arrested,” despite England and Wales fans attending the competition, while Scotland and Northern Ireland did not qualify.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the football policing lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, responded, stating: “Whilst these things may be said in jest, it is neither helpful or accurate to make this sort of comment. For the record, ‘British’ fans behaving at World Cups is the norm, not something special.”
Roberts elaborated on the numbers, noting that during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, there were no arrests of English or Welsh fans, while in Russia, three England fans were arrested for minor offences, 15 during the Brazil World Cup (with seven being touts), and seven in South Africa for similar minor issues. He pointed out that “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.”
Infantino spoke about the Qatar World Cup as he sought to allay fears surrounding the hosting of this summer’s finals, particularly in the United States. He remarked, “When the ball started rolling and the magic started, we had virtually no incidents,” emphasising the lack of arrests attributed to British fans. The Football Supporters’ Association added that Infantino should focus on providing cheap tickets rather than making jokes at the expense of fans.
In December, England and Scotland’s World Cup fixtures were revealed during a draw in Washington, D.C. The Three Lions were drawn into Group L with Croatia, Panama, and Ghana, while Scotland faced Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti in Group C.
As the controversy unfolds, it underscores the complex relationship between football governance and fans, an ongoing dialectic that continues to capture attention worldwide.
