UK Police Rap Fifa Chief Infantino Over Davos Joke About British Fans
- World football's governing body has been criticised after its president made light of the arrests of England fans at the Euros.
- Gianni Infantino joked about the behavior of England supporters during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday.
- He saeid: "We have a few English fans… causing a little bit of trouble."
Friday 23 January 2026 5:27 pm
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UK police rap FIFA chief infantino for Davos joke about British fans arrests
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World football’s governing body has been criticised after its president made light of the arrests of England fans at the Euros.
Gianni Infantino joked about the behavior of England supporters during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday.
He saeid: “We have a few English fans… causing a little bit of trouble.”
The comment drew criticism from UK police, who said it was “disappointing” and ”insensitive”.
The Football Policing Unit said in a statement: “We are disappointed by the comments made by the FIFA president at Davos. they were insensitive and disrespectful to the officers who are working tirelessly to keep people safe.
“We would urge Mr Infantino to reflect on his words and to apologise to those
UK police chiefs have hit back at Fifa president Gianni Infantino for mocking England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland fans’ behaviour at World Cups.
Infantino used an appearance in Davos this week to quip that “for the first time in history, no Brit was arrested during a World Cup” at the Qatar 2022 tournament, calling the statistic “something really, really special”.
“Whilst these things may be said in jest, it is neither helpful or accurate to make this sort of comment,” said Chief Constable Mark Roberts, football policing lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
Infantino’s comments hark back to a bygone era when British clubs were banned from European competition for hooliganism but Roberts pointed out that only 25 fans in total from the Home Nations had been apprehended at the last four men’s World Cups.
“For the record,’British’ fans behaving at World cups is the norm,not something special,” he told the Press Association.
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Sudan Conflict: Current Status (January 24, 2026)
Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues across Sudan as of January 24, 2026, with a notably dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Darfur and Khartoum. Despite numerous ceasefire attempts, a lasting resolution remains elusive, and the conflict has triggered widespread displacement and famine warnings.
The Ongoing Conflict Between SAF and RSF
the conflict began on april 15, 2023, stemming from tensions over the integration of the RSF into the SAF, a key component of a planned transition to civilian rule. The SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), engaged in open warfare, initially concentrated in Khartoum but quickly spreading to other regions.
As of January 2026,the SAF maintains control of most major cities,including Khartoum,but the RSF holds significant territory in Darfur,Kordofan,and parts of Khartoum. Recent reports indicate intensified fighting in El Fasher, North Darfur, with both sides accused of targeting civilians. The conflict has evolved into a complex web of alliances,with various armed groups aligning with either the SAF or the RSF,further complicating peace efforts.
Example: On January 18, 2026, the SAF launched a counteroffensive in South Kordofan, aiming to retake territory held by the RSF.Reuters reported on the offensive and the resulting civilian casualties.
Humanitarian Crisis and Displacement
The conflict has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.Over 8.2 million people have been displaced, both internally and as refugees in neighboring countries, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as of January 22, 2026. The United Nations estimates that over 25 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – require humanitarian assistance.
Darfur is experiencing a particularly severe crisis,with reports of widespread sexual violence,ethnic cleansing,and purposeful obstruction of humanitarian aid. The UN has warned of a potential famine in the region if access to food and medical care is not urgently improved. Khartoum also faces critical shortages of food, water, and medicine, with the healthcare system on the brink of collapse.
evidence: The World Food Program (WFP) reported on January 15, 2026, that it has only been able to reach 30% of the people in need of food assistance in Darfur due to security constraints and bureaucratic hurdles imposed by both sides of the conflict.
International Response and Peace Efforts
International efforts to mediate a ceasefire and facilitate a political transition have so far failed to yield significant results. The African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Progress (IGAD), and the United Nations have all been involved in mediation attempts, but both the SAF and the RSF have repeatedly violated ceasefire agreements.
The United States and Saudi Arabia jointly brokered talks in Jeddah in May 2023, but these talks stalled after several rounds. The international community has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the conflict, but these measures have not yet had a decisive impact. increased pressure is being placed on regional actors, particularly Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, to cease support for the warring parties.
Example: On January 20, 2026, the United Nations Security Council issued a statement calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urging both sides to return to negotiations. The statement also expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the targeting of civilians.
- Abdel Fattah al-Burhan: Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces.
- Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti): Commander of the Rapid Support Forces.
- Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): The national army of Sudan.
- Rapid Support Forces (RSF): A paramilitary group in Sudan.
- African Union (AU): A continental