Fifa corruption scandal: Nobel Peace Centre cuts ties with footballing body on Handshake for Peace initiative
Fifa complained that the Nobel Peace Centre did not alert it before going public
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Your support makes all the difference.Fifa has responded with unusually strong language to the Nobel Peace Centre’s (NPC) unexpected announcement that it will cut ties with the body on its Handshake for Peace.
The NPC said it would no longer work with the footballing body on the initiative, but did not not specify why.
However, it is likely the decision is linked to the scandal that has engulfed Fifa, and seen 14 of its more senior former officials and business executives indicted on corruption charges.
Fifa has hit back at the NPC by complaining that it was not alerted before the news made headlines on Monday, and said the decision was “not fair play”.
"We are disappointed to have learned from the media about the Nobel Peace Center's intent to terminate the cooperation with FIFA on the Handshake for Peace initiative,” said FIFA in a statement.
It went on: "FIFA is reluctant to accept this unilateral approach on what is a joint initiative between the football community and the Nobel Peace Center (NPC).
"This action does not embody the spirit of fair play especially as it obstructs the promotion of the key values of peace-building and anti-discrimination."
The Nobel Peace Centre has severed ties with Fifa (Photo: Getty Images)
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NPC executive director phoned outgoing president Sepp Blatter on Tuesday, according to Fifa, and said that it "continued to believe in this initiative and hoped it would live on in football with FIFA".
The Handshake for Peace initiative has seen Fifa encourage team captains and officials to shake hands before matches. The body was also hoping to introduce the gesture at the end of matches.
The project is intended to promote peace and fair play, and to enable players and officials to set a positive example for fans and the wider public.
FIFA said the Handshake for Peace would remain protocol at the under-20 World Cup in New Zealand and the women's World Cup in Canada.
The NPC's announcement comes three days after Interpol suspended a €20 million euros (£14million) arrangement with FIFA on fighting match-fixing in the wake of the corruption scandal.
The FBI is investigating bribery and corruption involving FIFA officials, as well as probing how Russia and Qatar were awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively.
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