The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have sharply criticised FIFA for its decision to award United States President Donald J. Trump the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize”, calling the move a dangerous and politically motivated betrayal of the organisation’s own principles.
In a strongly worded statement, the EFF described the creation or repurposing of the prize as a “shameful attempt to sportswash fascism”, arguing that FIFA has chosen to sanitise a powerful figure known for anti-democratic behaviour through an international platform that should remain non-political.
According to the EFF, FIFA has violated its own regulations, which strictly prohibit the organisation from engaging in partisan politics or using football to advance imperialist interests. Instead of protecting the global integrity of the sport, the party says FIFA is “appeasing Donald Trump and the geopolitical interests of the United States,” especially ahead of the FIFA World Cup being hosted on American soil.
The EFF insists that Trump “is not, and has never been, a symbol of peace.”
The statement highlights a catalogue of actions the former president is accused of, including:
• Attempting to overthrow the democratically elected government of Venezuela
• Supporting destabilising activities in Honduras, contributing to further regional chaos
• Interfering in South Africa’s domestic affairs through inflammatory statements and threats of sanctions
• Engaging in economic coercion against Canada, Iceland and several European nations using tariffs as political leverage
• Withdrawing the U.S. from key international treaties, undermining global peace efforts and climate cooperation
• Escalating tensions with Iran, culminating in the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani
• Deepening instability across the Middle East through aggressive foreign policy
The party warns that football, the world’s most beloved sport, “cannot and must not be used to legitimise fascism, imperialism or political manipulation.”
The EFF’s condemnation adds significant political weight to the growing controversy surrounding FIFA’s decision, raising questions about the motives behind awarding Trump a prize associated with peace and international harmony.
Thank you EFF, many cowards cant come out to condemn the act.