European football chiefs have held initial discussions about how the sport could respond to Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to annex Greenland, and it may end up leading to a UEFA-led boycott.
For weeks, Trump has reiterated that the United States must acquire Greenland, the world's largest island, for national security reasons.
In fact, the US President has not ruled out using military force to occupy the area. Asked by a journalist at the White House how far he was willing to go to acquire Greenland, Trump simply replied: "You'll find out.”
Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs on countries that do not “go along” with his plan.
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The ongoing situation has led to calls for a World Cup boycott, with German politician Jurgen Hardt recently suggesting it could be a “last resort” in response to Trump’s threats.
"Dropping out of the tournament would, however, only be considered as a last resort in order to get Trump to see sense on the Greenland issue," said Hardt, who pointed out that Trump has made it clear "how important the World Cup is to him."
It is said European football chiefs are deeply concerned about Trump's plans to annex Greenland.
A report from The Guardian suggests that around 20 football association chiefs were involved in talks about how the sport could respond, when they met at a recent event in Budapest to celebrate the Hungarian football federation’s 125th anniversary.
The implications for this summer's World Cup were among the topics raised, with senior figures believing military aggression to acquire Greenland would be the tipping point for a UEFA-led boycott or other major steps in protest.
The report adds: "The majority of football federations are likely to be guided by their governments’ responses to events around Greenland, although some sources have pondered how a more proactive approach would work. There is a sense that, should one of the continent’s bigger FAs make a stand, others would follow."
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UK prime minister Keir Starmer stood up to Donald Trump after he threatened tariffs against countries that oppose his attempt to take control of Greenland.
Meanwhile, in the House of Commons, Conservative former minister Simon Hoare and Liberal Democrat Luke Taylor argued that the home nations should refuse to participate in the World Cup.
Hoare urged ministers to fight fire with fire, saying: "Now, that would be fine if we had an occupant of the White House who understood all of that and who respected all of that, but he laughs now, not just behind his hand, but blatantly in our faces as a result of that.
"Should the state visit go ahead this year? Should football teams play in American stadia for the World Cup? These are things which would embarrass the president at home. We now need to fight fire with fire."
Taylor added: "Diplomacy relies on rational actors, yet even in the last fortnight we have seen Donald Trump declare that he is not bound by international law, only his own morality. We are not dealing with a rational man. He responds only to shiny baubles, as we've seen with the incredible saga of the Nobel Peace Prize."
Topics: FIFA World Cup
Jack Kenmare