Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine has strongly criticised Fifa's decision to award a peace prize to US President Donald Trump, calling it a 'mockery' of football's role as a force for good. The St Pauli captain, who is on track for his third World Cup appearance, spoke out ahead of a tournament already strained by geopolitical tensions and high costs.
Irvine, a member of the global players' union Fifpro, told Reuters on Wednesday that the award undermines Fifa's human rights charter. 'Decisions like the one we saw awarding this peace prize makes a mockery of what they're trying to do,' he said. Fifa president Gianni Infantino defended the prize in February, citing Trump's role in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The 33-year-old Australian has a history of speaking on human rights issues. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he and his Socceroos teammates raised concerns about migrant workers and LGBTI+ rights. Now, he worries about similar issues in the US, noting that rights for LGBTI+ communities are 'being taken away all over the country.'
Irvine's comments add to a simmering buildup to the tournament, which has seen fan anger over inflated ticket and transport prices, as well as complex diplomatic issues involving Iran and the Middle East. Since Trump received the award, the US has undertaken major military actions in Venezuela and Iran.
Irvine acknowledged the polarised political environment, saying he sympathises with players who keep their opinions private. 'People really actively dislike players trying to bring politics into sport,' he said. Fifa has yet to decide whether players can wear armbands supporting social causes during the World Cup.
