Over 20 MPs have demanded Fifa removes the United States from their own World Cup in response to American forces capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.
A group of 23 MPs from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and Plaid Cymru have signed a motion calling on international sporting bodies to act.
They also urged other major international competitions to act, including the Olympics.
The parliamentary motion demands that the US show “clear compliance with international law and respect for the sovereignty of other nations” before being permitted to participate.
The signatories argue that major sporting events “should not be used to legitimise or normalise violations of international law by powerful states”.
Their motion raises alarm over what they describe as “the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro”, characterising it as direct interference in another country’s internal affairs.
The MPs also highlight what they term “repeated veiled and overt threats made by senior US officials”, particularly towards Denmark, Colombia and Cuba.
They argued this conduct “undermines the rules-based international order”.
Over 20 MPs have demanded Fifa remove the USA from their own World Cup
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GETTYTheir call for action draws heavily on Fifa’s treatment of Russia, which remains banned from international football following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Labour MP Brian Leishman, who backs the motion, told the Daily Mirror: “Let’s have consistency. It’s an invasion of a sovereign nation and the kidnap of a president in Venezuela.
“I’m very critical of Maduro, I want to be very clear on that, but what we’ve seen is a breach of international law.
“When you see how Russia has been treated, which is absolutely correct, I just want there to be consistency.”
Nicolas Maduro was captured alongside his wife by US special forces
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REUTERSHowever, observers widely doubt the governing body will move against a nation hosting the bulk of World Cup matches, particularly in light of the warm relationship Fifa president Gianni Infantino has built with Trump.
This closeness has prompted accusations that Fifa has become politically compromised, though the organisation maintains it has a statutory obligation to stay neutral as a football event organiser.
Just last December, Fifa presented Trump with its inaugural peace prize at the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington, praising his role in brokering a ceasefire and promoting peace between Israel and Palestine.
The White House has previously defended the capture of Maduro as a law enforcement operation targeting an illegitimate leader accused of drug trafficking and terrorism.
48 teams will be hoping to go all the way at the World Cup next summer
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PAPresident Trump declared that America would now take control of Venezuela and its oil industry.
Maduro himself maintains he is a prisoner of war, and the US President faced sharp criticism during an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated he was “deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected” during the American operation.
Beyond Venezuela, Trump has also suggested military action against Colombia “sounds good” and warned Cuba to “make a deal” over Venezuelan oil exports “before it is too late”.
GB News has approached Fifa for comment.