Washington, United States. The White House has defended FIFA’s decision to award U.S. President Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, responding to criticism from human rights groups, activists, and soccer figures.
FIFA award draws condemnation
FIFA presented Trump with the award at the World Cup draw in December for “promoting peace and unity around the world,” prompting condemnation in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Australian soccer player Jackson Irvine said this week that awarding Trump made a mockery of FIFA’s Human Rights Policy, while Norway’s soccer federation said FIFA should abolish the award.
White House cites foreign policy record
The White House said Trump’s “Peace through Strength foreign policy” had ended eight wars in less than a year.
“There is no one else in the world more deserving of FIFA’s first ever Peace Prize than President Trump. Anyone who thinks otherwise clearly suffers from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement.
World Cup hosting and recent military actions
The United States, which is co-hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, launched a military strike on Venezuela a month after the draw for the tournament and began joint airstrikes with Israel on Iran on February 28.
Trump and Nobel Peace Prize comments
Trump has frequently cited his role in resolving international conflicts and has said on numerous occasions that he should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
What do you think about FIFA maintaining the Peace Prize amid ongoing criticism?