Gianni Infantino has defended the decision to award President Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize amid opposition from a sizable portion of the global football community.

He argued that the American leader ‘objectively deserved’ it.

Mr Infantino, who became the FIFA president in 2016, decorated Mr Trump with the well-publicised honour during the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in December last year.

He cited Mr Trump’s contribution to peace globally, especially with the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as the reason the politician was named the winner.

However, the decision to give Mr Trump the award quickly drew heavy criticism from football commentators and fans around the world, accusing the politician of being complicit in the alleged genocide by Israel in Gaza and the attack on Iran by Israel and the United States.

There were also renewed criticisms earlier this year after the United States military attacked Venezuela in January, resulting in the seizure of the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, which critics further used to undermine awarding Mr Trump the peace prize.

Reacting to widespread public displeasure in an interview with Sky News on Monday, Mr Infantino acknowledged the strong opposition but said, “Objectively, he (Mr Trump) deserves it.”

He also credited Mr Trump for being “instrumental in resolving conflicts and saving thousands of lives.”