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How much is FIFA chief Infantino learning from Trump’s tactics?
After Spain lifted the FIFA World Cup earlier this year, the sport was caught in turmoil off the pitch.
This was all thanks to Gianni Infantino, the governing body’s ever-present chief, pushing forward a plan to sell off parts of the commercial rights to the FIFA World Cup to private equity investors.
Some in the footballing world recoiled, others backed the plan.
The official line was that it would bring money, via football, to parts of the world that needed it to progress their game.
Those who backing Infantino’s plan would get $40m, those who didn’t would get $20m.
But while FIFA claims it is expaning the game, the last three tournaments have been held in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, the autocracy that is Qatar and Donald Trump’s USA.
Many felt as though the plan was a way Infantino, who came in after one corruption scandal at FIFA saw Sepp Blatter thrown out, could line his own pockets.
It has been reported this Donald Trump administration is one of the “most openly corrupt”. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/13/trump-presidency-revenue-wealth)
And after cosying up to the US President, awarding him the newly created FIFA Peace Prize and bending the rules at the World Cup for the US’ benefit, it is a wonder just how close Infantino and the US President are.
We spoke to Dan Kilpatrick, Deputy Managing Editor for The Athletic, about how much the two men have in common, how much Infantino is learning from Trump and wether his plans really could cause a civil war in football.
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13 Oct 2026
No service member wants Reform’s proposal of immunity from prosecutions, Army Major says
Military personnel do not want Reform’s proposal of immunity from prosecution for crimes committed while deployed, they just want fair treatment, a former Army Major has warned.
Zia Yusuf, Reform’s home affairs spokesperson, said the party would grant UK troops immunity from prosecution for “actions taken during combat operations”.
The policy came after Brigadier Ed Butler, a former SAS Commander, said the “lawfare” and prosecutions being brought against SAS personnel for action in conflict was affecting recruitment numbers.
Major Andrew Fox, a former British Army Major who served with the Parachute Regiment and completed three tours in Afghanistan, and yours of Bosnia, Northern Ireland and the Middle East, said this is not what personnel want.
He said retrospective prosecutions against military veterans from decades ago are undoubtedly hurting morale, adding he has friends who are warning people not to join the SAS.
“The process becomes the punishment… this takes years to do and the whole time you’re fighting it, your name is being dragged through the mud,” he said.
“You feel assaulted by the state. It’s an incredibly painful and draining process.”
But he said Reform’s policy is not the answer.
“I’ve not met one British service person or veteran who says, yes, we want this free pass, we want to be let off,” he said.
“Nobody wants it.
“Nobody in the British Armed Forces is asking for complete immunity to commit war crimes at will,” he said.
He said the policy was a continuation of the “Trumpification of Reform”, adding that the US President has “pardoned actual genuine war criminals”.
Mr Fox said he was “very sanguine on the SAS prosecutions over Afghanistan” - referencing a inquiry into allegations the SAS committed murders in Afghanistan that were then covered up.
“They are recent enough that the evidence is there to interrogate and to see if they’re guilty or not,” he said.
He added there is a middle ground, which is having accountability for personnel who committed crimes while serving in uniform.
“That’s what Reform completely misses every single time.”
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6 Oct 2026
Burnham, Trump, Red Diesel and Iran: What happened at RAF Fairford?
After five men were arrested following a suspected terrorism plot at RAF Fairford, the US has pulled its aircraft from the base.
Located in the Cotswolds, RAF Fairford was used by the US Air Force to launch attacks in Iran.
The incident, which quickly became an international issue, was shrouded in uncertainty - at least publicly.
Some claimed the men had simoply been trying to steal cheap fuel from the base, while others pushed the theory it was an Iranian backed attack.
The Prime Minister confirmed the further arrest a dual British-Iranian national, following the release of the previously arrested men.
Donald Trump said he would not have released the initial suspects, criticising the move despite initially praising Andy Burnham’s response.
So what does this all mean for UK-US relations? Where does Iran fit in? And is the opportunistic move from Reform and Nigel Farage to turn the incident into another debate about immigration warranted?
We spoke to Dafydd Townley, an academic specialising in national security policy, the Chair of the American Politics Group and a military education specialist at the University of Portsmouth.
As well as discussing the issues with sharing intelligence with this Trump administration, we also discussed the political make up of the US intelligence services, why Trump was so vocal on the incident and the PM’s response.
Since the interview, the US pulled 12 B-1 bombers from the RAF base.
The move was, according to US President Donald Trump, because of warnings an Iranian drone attack could take place on the base.
Thumbnail credits:
Iran flag: Aerra Carnicom, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Trump: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
B1 bomber: Balon Greyjoy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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