FIFA president Gianni Infantino has apologised for joking about the behaviour of British football fans at World Cups; Infantino also called for end to Russia ban in Sky News interview, as well as defending the award of the FIFA Peace Prize to USA President Donald Trump.

In a wide-ranging interview with Sky News, the head of FIFA also defended his decision to award USA President Donald Trump the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize and hit back at suggestions nations should boycott this summer’s World Cup in protest at Trump’s politics.

Infantino made headlines last month when he noted the good behaviour of supporters at the Qatar World Cup, saying: “For the first time in history, no Brit was arrested during a World Cup. Imagine! This is something really, really special.”

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa also saw no British fans apprehended by police and the Football Supporters Association criticised the FIFA chief’s “cheap jokes”.

Sitting down with Sky News, Infantino said: “I need first to apologise. It was meant to be more of a light-hearted remark to show that actually the World Cup in Qatar was a celebration, was a peaceful event and everyone came together in a peaceful way.

“So having English fans – real fans – coming in a peaceful way and enjoying and cheering for their team is something that is fantastic.”

England fans will be travelling to this summer’s World Cup – hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada – in significant numbers. That’s despite recent calls for European nations to boycott the event, following Trump’s threat to annex Greenland.