St Pauli captain says decision undermines the sport as force for good
Socceroos veteran is on track for third World Cup appearance
World Cup-bound Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine has taken aim at Fifa and the US over the governing body’s awarding of a peace prize to President Donald Trump, heightening tensions ahead of a tournament already weighed down by geopolitical pressures and controversial pricing.
Irvine has previously captained Australia and is on track to appear at his third World Cup after recovering from a foot injury. As a member of the global players’ union Fifpro, Irvine holds a senior advocacy role.
The 33-year-old becomes the leading critic of Fifa among current players after telling Reuters on Wednesday that giving a peace prize to Trump went against the principles of football’s governing body, which has broad human rights obligations.
